There will be a special addition to the Canada Day celebrations in Williams Lake this year.
Mary Forbes will lead a Suffragette March in Boitanio Park starting at noon sharp.
Marchers will gather at the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Stage in celebration of the Canadian’s campaign to get the vote starting in 1916.
B.C. women achieved the right to vote in 1917, Forbes says, but First Nations women didn’t get to vote until 1960.
She said women who attend the march will carry a placard, wear a sash and dress in the clothing of the suffragette era, a long skirt and long sleeved blouse.
She has many costumes to share with participants and has 10 suffragette sashes available for the first 10 women to sign up for the march.
Before the march begins Forbes will recite the poem by women’s rights activist Nellie McClung, Why Men Should Not Be Allowed to Vote.
She says there will also be a voting booth set up where people can vote on selecting a significant Canadian woman to have her portrait on Canadian money. Results of the vote will be forwarded to the Canadian Mint.
A practice march and placard building event and photo shoot will take place on Wednesday, June 29 starting at 5 p.m. at the Potato House.
The Suffragette Movie will also be shown after the workshop in the Potato House’s front parlour and tea and treats will be served.
Participants are asked to indicate their participation by contacting Forbes at themaryforbes@gmail.com. Or call or text her at 250-855-8443.
More information is available at the following websites: http://www.ournellie.com/; http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/banknoteable/; and http://www.ebay.ca/itm/161518636990.