Ophelia, Florida Sufferagist
A woman's right to vote was granted in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution. The historical drama 'Ophelia, Florida Suffragette' honors this event. Ophelia, a Florida girl form a privileged family, shares the events that changed her life as she became a placard carrying Suffragist in Washington D.C.
First the audience meets her Victorian mother, who being of the old school, is appalled at her daughter's behavior. Mother had encouraged Ophelia to become a debutante so that she can marry for wealth not love. But Ophelia rejects her mother's advise and yearns to make a difference in the lives of the poor and downtrodden. Ophelia ponders the roles and rights of Florida women leading up to the the fight for the right to vote. At first she begins to attend meetings of women who wish to attain voting rights. She learns the history of the movement that originated in the North. Women's Suffrage was not a popular cause in Florida and was slow to gain support. But eventually women created inroads throughout Florida in small towns such as Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale. Letter writing and speeches were the primary tools they used in an attempt to influence politicians and the media.
But soon more confrontational techniques became necessary. So Ophelia begins to march with the Silent Sentinels on the streets of Washington DC. These demonstrations soon turned violent as the marchers were attacked by bystanders. Then police began to arrest them. They were imprisoned and assaulted. After a particularly violent attack by prison guards, the press began to report the truth to the public. Support finally grew for the cause!
Ophelia shares the struggles and ultimate triumph of the Suffragists. She hopes that by the time she had a granddaughter that men and women would be treated as equals.
So lastly, we meet her hippy granddaughter Sunshine who has been protesting for Florida to ratify the 19th Amendment which they finally got around to doing in 1969 49 years after it was passed!
Available as a full length program or a luncheon length.This performance is ideal for historical and political organizations, women's groups, galas etc.
First the audience meets her Victorian mother, who being of the old school, is appalled at her daughter's behavior. Mother had encouraged Ophelia to become a debutante so that she can marry for wealth not love. But Ophelia rejects her mother's advise and yearns to make a difference in the lives of the poor and downtrodden. Ophelia ponders the roles and rights of Florida women leading up to the the fight for the right to vote. At first she begins to attend meetings of women who wish to attain voting rights. She learns the history of the movement that originated in the North. Women's Suffrage was not a popular cause in Florida and was slow to gain support. But eventually women created inroads throughout Florida in small towns such as Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale. Letter writing and speeches were the primary tools they used in an attempt to influence politicians and the media.
But soon more confrontational techniques became necessary. So Ophelia begins to march with the Silent Sentinels on the streets of Washington DC. These demonstrations soon turned violent as the marchers were attacked by bystanders. Then police began to arrest them. They were imprisoned and assaulted. After a particularly violent attack by prison guards, the press began to report the truth to the public. Support finally grew for the cause!
Ophelia shares the struggles and ultimate triumph of the Suffragists. She hopes that by the time she had a granddaughter that men and women would be treated as equals.
So lastly, we meet her hippy granddaughter Sunshine who has been protesting for Florida to ratify the 19th Amendment which they finally got around to doing in 1969 49 years after it was passed!
Available as a full length program or a luncheon length.This performance is ideal for historical and political organizations, women's groups, galas etc.