A Message from the Tennessee Women’s Project:

Congratulations to AAUW Tennessee’s Ayne Cantrell on publication of her revised play,
Tennessee Women for the Vote, A Suffrage Play, 1920!

In anticipation of the 100th  anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and in honor of the important part played by Tennessee, Ayne has updated and revised her suffrage play, originally published in Tennessee Women of Vision and Courage. While all participants named in this one-act play are actual historical figures, their coming together at this time and place is imaginary. Cantrell includes authentic speeches, but the historical period is condensed for dramatic effect. While it is unlikely that African American would have been asked to speak, Ayne has added two African American women to the cast, recognizing that black women understood the importance of winning the vote.

Well researched and including biographies of the suffragist speakers, the text stands alone for any reader interested in the historical context of the woman vote. As a performance vehicle or as Readers Theatre for amateur and school groups, Tennessee Women for the Vote is an excellent way to celebrate the centennial of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. Consider doing a reading (or even a performance) as a way for your branch to participate in the celebration. Licensing fees will be waived for AAUW of Tennessee groups performing the play. Licensing fees will be waived for AAUW of Tennessee groups performing the play.

Proceeds from the sale of the play will go toward AAUW of Tennessee NCCWSL scholarships. Sales of Tennessee Women of Vision and Courage (still available on Amazon) have supported ten NCCWSL scholarships to date. For more about the Tennessee Women Project, both books, and licensing information, go to our website at tnwomenproject.wordpress.net. The Tennessee Women Project is a project of the Women’s Equity Foundation, the charitable arm of AAUW Maryville Branch.

Charlotte Crawford and Ruth Johnson Smiley
Co-Directors, Tennessee Women Project
tnwomenproject.wordpress.net
tnwomenproject@gmail.com