New York State Archives Partnership Trust Hosts Petticoats Of Steel Theatrical Program on March 2

The New York State Archives Partnership Trust invites the public to attend a free theatrical production about women’s suffrage, Petticoats of Steel, on Thursday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Huxley Theatre at the Cultural Education Center at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany.

Celebrating the 2017 centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State, Petticoats of Steel is a powerful theatrical production produced by Capital Repertory Theatre that tells the true stories of New York women and the roles they played gaining voting rights for all.

"New York State was a leader in the women's suffrage movement," said Betty A. Rosa, Chancellor of the Board of Regents. "This year is a milestone anniversary of significant change in the national political landscape for women. It's a year to raise awareness of how women won the right to vote in New York and the countless men and women who advocated for equal rights for all. I encourage children and adults to attend Petticoats of Steel as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in New York."

“In 2017 we celebrate the centennial anniversary of New York State granting women the right to vote,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “The women and men who advocated for women’s suffrage won much more than the right to vote – they strengthened American democracy and built a foundation for civil and equal rights. Petticoats of Steel highlights the true stories of New York women as they fought for the right to vote. This free production is a learning opportunity for all and I encourage teachers and students to attend.”

“Petticoats of Steel uses primary sources to tell the true stories of New York women who made history,” said State Archivist Thomas Ruller. “This is a perfect example of the importance of archival materials and the creative educational opportunities that emerge when historic documents are made accessible for the public to study, analyze, and learn from.”

Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director of The League of Women Voters of New York State, said, “The League of Women Voters of New York State was founded in 1919 by a group of highly opinionated, politically engaged, fiercely dynamic women. The Leagues of Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties are proud to present this program, which highlights the efforts of these courageous women.”

Judy Meyer, President of the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, said, “While we no longer have the petticoats, we still have the steel thanks to the women who have gone before us. We are sure to be inspired by their story.”

Barb Thomas, League of Women Voters Saratoga Steering Committee Member, said, “LWV Saratoga honors the work of early suffragists Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Gage, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Katrina Trask by sponsoring this play and continuing the fight to safeguard the vote for all citizens.”

Margaret Danes, President of the League of Women Voters Albany County, said, “What we see in this look back in history are role models for today’s women of conviction who march and rally, and for their daughters and granddaughters who join them and represent the preservation and future of our democratic principles and achievements. These are not women of lace and fluff, but of steel determination. We are to celebrate and to emulate their true grit.”

Lynn “Spike” Herzig, President of the New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Network, said, “The New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Network, founded in 2009, is the voice for culture and heritage tourism in New York State and promotes its members through education and marketing. The Women’s Rights and Heritage Committee that now numbers over one hundred ninety, is promoting the New York Women’s Suffrage Centennial Celebration during 2017 and is a proud supporter of the Petticoats of Steel project being produced in conjunction with the New York State Archives Partnership Trust.”

Seating is limited; registration is strongly encouraged. Register by calling (518) 474-1303 or online at http://conta.cc/2k6ccRF.

Regional sponsors of the program include the League of Women Voters of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties, New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Network, and Capital Repertory Theatre.

The Archives Partnership Trust is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to keep over 350 years of New York’s rich documentary heritage within the New York State Archives accessible and alive though education, preservation, and outreach programs. The New York State Archives is the largest repository of state government records in the nation, holding over 200 million records of state and colonial governments dating back to the Dutch colonial period in 1630. The New York State Archives is a program of the State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. For more information, visit www.archives.nysed.gov.