An historic marker honoring suffragist Edna Buckman Kearns of Rockville Centre was unveiled today on the boardwalk in Long Beach where she had demonstrated for women’s right to vote over one hundred years ago.

The installation of the marker represented years of effort by several groups, including the Long Island Woman Suffrage Association. Her granddaughter, Marguerite Kearns had waged a long-term battle to honor her grandmother’s work for the woman suffrage movement. Edna had campaigned on the beach at Long Beach, driving her horse-drawn Spirit of 1776 suffrage wagon up and down the beach, distributing leaflets to bathers. She also communicated with what she called her “speechless speech,” where she silently exhibited placards with the message “Votes for Women,” letting the placards give the message.

We are pleased to add another marker to the Women’s History Trail, established to honor those who have labored to secure political equality for all women throughout the nation. The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 giving women the right to vote was an important first step. There is more work to be done, but today was a day to celebrate.

Thanks go to the City of Long Beach for their hard work.