The Long Island Woman Suffrage Association is proud to announce that the winning design in the New York State Suffrage Centennial “I Voted” sticker contest is the image of none other than Long Island’s Rosalie Gardiner Jones. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the winner yesterday. The anniversary stickers will be distributed throughout the State at polling places on Election Day, November 7, 2017.
Jones was a flamboyant young socialite from the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor area who, much to the dismay of her anti-suffragist Mother, preferred campaigning for woman suffrage over the performance of her social duties. Always with an eye for publicity, in 1912 she joined fellow suffragist Elisabeth Freeman in a trek across Long Island in a horse-drawn carriage to distribute suffrage pamphlets and literature, and later that year organized the first of several successful hikes to both Albany and Washington DC. Rosalie believed that the movement should exhibit a more military stance and discipline, and thus began calling herself “The General.” She carried the suffrage message into small towns and villages with a personal attention that was both impassioned and provocative.
After suffrage was achieved she continued to campaign for equal rights and social reform. It is only fitting that her image was chosen to embody the spirit of the woman suffrage movement as we celebrate the centennial of this victory throughout our State.
Great news!! Can’t wait to see it.
If anyone wants more info about Elisabeth Freeman, go to http://www.elisabethfreeman.org. The two were amazing organizers!