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Pictured with the suffrage exhibit, from left to right are: Niagara County Legislature Chairman Becky Wydysh, Legislator Irene Myers, Legislator Anita Mullane and Mary Brennan-Taylor.
By: Staff Reporter
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and in celebration of this historic milestone, visitors to the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport can see pieces of the display the “Art of Suffrage.” The Art of Suffrage had been on display at the Kenan Center since February.
“The Kenan Center exhibit celebrating the suffrage movement was hugely popular with guided tours, author lectures and special events,” said Mary Brennan-Taylor, co-chair of the Art of Suffrage whose personal collection of authentic suffrage memorabilia was a significant part of the exhibit. “I’m so pleased that several of the art pieces are now on display at the Niagara County Courthouse so people can continue to learn about these courageous women.”
Brennan-Taylor was joined for the unveiling of the courthouse display by Niagara County Legislature Chairman Becky Wydysh and Legislators Anita Mullane and Irene Myers.
“As the first woman to chair the Niagara County Legislature, I am so inspired by the personal sacrifices of the women of the suffrage movement and how their efforts laid the groundwork for people like myself, Anita and Irene to serve as legislators,” said Wydysh. “We all appreciate the efforts of Mary Brennan-Taylor and co-chair Ellen Martin who put together the Art of Suffrage exhibit and am pleased that we were able to bring some of it to the Niagara County Courthouse.”
Brennan-Taylor said the Niagara County Courthouse actually played a role in the suffrage movement, as Susan B. Anthony spoke there during convention in support of women’s right to vote in 1894.
“Niagara County is also home to Belva Lockwood, a leading suffragist and the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court,” said Taylor. “So it’s only fitting that we honor their efforts and those of so many others right it the courthouse.”
