“Thank you again!! My class had a wonderful time and got so much out of the program.

“On our way back one of my students confronted a group of construction workers and told them she didn’t like their ‘Men Working’ sign. She told them it should say ‘People Working’. One gentleman pointed out that there were only men on the crew. My lovely [student] responded with, “ Well I have another issue, why are there no women on your crew? Shoot, I can do this work.” A group of grown men dumbfounded by the brass of my beautiful young student. Thank you for inspiring them!! It was awesome!!”

I imagine Susan B. Anthony would approve!

Thank you, teacher Dale Spafford, for getting your students to the Anthony House for a field trip. Thank you, fifth graders! We are impressed that you applied for a scholarship to cover your admission and that you all walked here!  Thank you, Joanne French and Bonnie Anne Briggs, our two volunteer docents who led the program (we have 110 inspiring volunteer docents!).  Thank you, Lois and Arn Hart, for providing the scholarship funds that covered the admission for this class.

We love that this particular class came from Clara Barton School #2. Mary Anthony, Susan’s sister, was the first female principal at School #2, where she demanded equal pay for equal work more than a century ago and got it!!  Not only was Clara Barton the founder the American Red Cross, but she was a friend of Mary and Susan B. Anthony and a SUFFRAGIST herself!

Finally, we want to say thank you to the courageous young woman from Mr. Spafford’s fifth grade class who is keeping Susan B. Anthony’s vision alive and relevant!!

Rochester, NY—The Friends of Susan B. Anthony House invite all interested history buffs and adventurers to join us for our exciting day trip to Syracuse, Fayetteville, and Peterboro on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 to meet “People Who Mattered in Central New York.”

We’ll visit the home of Matilda Joslyn Gage in Fayetteville, an activist in abolition, women’s rights, religious freedom, and native American rights. We’ll enjoy lunch while watching a re-enactment of the lives of three former slaves who settled in the Syracuse region. We’ll visit the National Abolition Hall of Fame and learn the history of Gerrit Smith, cousin of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. We’ll learn more underground- railroad history and meet Jerry of the Jerry Rescue. There will be stairs and walking.

Tickets are on sale now at 585-279-7490, ext. 10 or on the Susan B. Anthony House website at susanbanthonyhouse.org. Tickets are $105 per person, includes deluxe motorcoach, lunch, dinner, admissions, everything! We will depart from the Eastview Mall parking lot at 7 a.m. sharp, returning approximately 9 p.m.

            The Friends of the Susan B. Anthony House is an organization founded in 2006 by Betsy Stanton and Jolene Smith to increase awareness of and raise funds for this National Historic Landmark house, Anthony’s home from 1866 to 1906 and the headquarters for the national campaign for woman suffrage.

Mission Statement of Susan B. Anthony Museum & House (adopted 4/2010): The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House preserves the National Historic Landmark where the great reformer lived for 40 of her most politically active years, collects and exhibits artifacts related to her life and work, and offers programs through its learning center that challenge individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.

  ***The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is supported primarily through the contributions of its members and donors. The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is not affiliated with other organizations bearing her name.***

Ellen K. Wheeler, Director of Public Relations and Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  April 24, 2012

Four years ago, a very angry father left a message on my voice mail.  He called me names I had never been called. For this pastor-turned-museum-director, it was my first experience at being the object of vitriol from a complete stranger. His tone and language were evidence of deep rage, and he was certain that I was the appropriate target. After all, I was the director of the “Susan B. Anthony” House.

This young father’s rancor was triggered by a phone call. It was the height of election season. His six year old daughter answered their home phone and was treated to a robo-call message that apparently described late-term abortion in graphic detail.  The child was confused and frightened by the “murder” she had heard described. Her father was shocked to hear what his daughter had been exposed on their home phone.  Appalled and enraged, he checked the caller ID, and it clearly stated “Susan B Anthony” had called.  He googled the name, and the Susan B. Anthony House popped up on his screen (we are proud to have earned that status).  He dialed the number and ended up in my voice mail box. And he let me have it.

Fortunately, we were able to return his call and explain that we are not that Susan B. Anthony.  This Susan B. Anthony did not sponsor that robo-call.  This Susan B. Anthony did not endorse Rick Santorum for president (but we did have several people call us to cancel their support of our organization when they heard the announcement and one who told us Santorum was not conservative enough for their taste). This Susan B. Anthony has not promised $10 million to the Mitt Romney campaign (but the calls and emails we received  today about that announcement triggered this blog post).

This Susan B. Anthony House is a non-partisan Museum and learning center in Rochester, New York, that strives to be an authentic witness to the life and work of Susan B. Anthony.  Please do not confuse us with any other organization bearing the “Susan B. Anthony” name.  In particular, please don’t confuse us with the political action group, the Susan B. Anthony List, that claims to “support pro-life leadership” and apparently has a lot of money to leverage.

Please do not be confused by political parties, caucuses, or groups that claim they know what Susan B. Anthony would say about a contemporary issue.

While we are delighted that the once-reviled radical feminist has earned such a high place of honor and authority that everyone seems to want her for their champion, we are here to tell the authentic story of Susan B. Anthony, not to use her name for a political agenda.

Deborah L. Hughes, president & CEO

CONTACT: Ellen K. Wheeler, Public Relations and Communications Dir., 585-279-7490, ext. 15

MEDIA ADVISORY                  

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY                                                                                                

Susan B. Anthony House to commemorate the

106th anniversary of Miss Anthony’s death

Rochester, NY—On March 13, 1906, at forty minutes past midnight, Susan B. Anthony died at the age of 86 in her bed on the second floor of the house at 17 Madison Street, her home of 40 years. At her request, much of the ceremonial mourning of the day was not observed: no shades were drawn, no black crepe hung.  Only a simple wreath of violets was placed on the front door.

The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House will observe the 106th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s death on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 with the hanging of a simple wreath of violets on the front door of #17 Madison Street at 11:00 a.m. The wreath-hanging will be followed by a short presentation about Anthony’s life and legacy by Anthony House president and CEO, Deborah L. Hughes.   The public is invited to attend. 

Mission Statement (adopted 1/2007): The Susan B. Anthony House is a learning center through which we share and interpret Miss Anthony’s life as a champion of women’s rights, thereby inspiring and challenging individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and communities. 

The Susan B. Anthony House is supported primarily through the contributions of its members and donors. The Susan B. Anthony House is not affiliated with other organizations bearing her name.

###

Now as a rule, we don’t like to put words into Susan B.’s mouth–as no one really knows what she would have to say about modern issues–but today I just couldn’t help myself.

Today I took a break from data entry and surveyed the world from a recumbent position on a bench in the park. It is sixty-three degrees in early March, how could I not?

I hope you were able to enjoy the day today. If you’re nearby, I highly recommend a walk to the park.  For Geocachers, there’s a geocache hiding in plain sight in the above photo!

Okay–no more basking in the sun! Time to process some data.

–
Claire Hawley Zarcone
Administrative Assistant
Susan B. Anthony House
17 Madison Street
Rochester, NY 14608
585-279-7490 ext. 10

From my perspective the luncheon went very smoothly. Our team seemed to run like a well-oiled machine. I hardly even saw any of the other staff during the event because we were all so busy doing our own tasks.

The days before the luncheon I worked non-stop to acquire names of attendees from sponsors, table captains, and individual seat purchasers so I could enter them into our database and assign them to tables.  The Monday before the luncheon I output all of this precious information and printed out about 900 name tags which the amazing Friends of the Susan B. Anthony House spent all afternoon assembling for me.  Then two hours before the luncheon began, a bevy of volunteers and I set about the task of laying out all the name tags for attendees to pick up on their way in.   As guests poured in, there didn’t seem to be too many problems or bottlenecks, so I consider the job a success.

Meanwhile, other House staff and volunteers were setting up all of the tables, placing 90 table cards, laying out 900 programs, 900 donation cards and 900 pens.

At the same time still more staff and volunteers were setting up the museum shop and the Nursing Friends of Susan B. Anthony display.

While all of our set-up was happening we also had Marc Hamilton from Hamilton AV setting up the audio visual equipment.  Again this year, we had closed captioning set up in the Convention Center, and a webcast for out of town donors and members.

This doesn’t even bring into account the wonderful work all of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center staff put in! I am totally impressed every year by how deftly they manage to serve so many people so efficiently.

Did you know that all of this and more happened behind the scenes? I know before I participated in this kind of event planning, I never put much thought into what goes into it.

One thing I feel the need to emphasize, is that we love this! It is hard work, but it is so wonderful to throw a party for our friends. And for me it is a joy to be able to put faces and personalities to all of you whose names I see as I work in our database or whose voices I hear on the telephone!  So if I met you or crossed paths with you at all on Wednesday, it was wonderful to meet you or see you again, and if you didn’t make it to the luncheon, I hope to see you there next year!

I’ll tell you, when I had a small gathering at my house last weekend, after this luncheon for 900 a party for 12 sure felt like a breeze!

–
Claire Hawley Zarcone
Administrative Assistant
Susan B. Anthony House
17 Madison Street
Rochester, NY 14608
585-279-7490 ext. 10

What going on right now? Everything!

Our biggest event of the year is happening in just two and a half weeks–the Annual Birthday Luncheon! This year we will be Celebrating Women of Note with keynote speaker, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director, Arild Remmereit. There was a write up in the Democrat and Chronicle yesterday afternoon. If you think it sounds interesting–I do!–we’re still taking reservations.

But we’re not just preparing for the Luncheon here. The daily running of the Museum and organization continues. Today, Annie, our Director of Programs and Visitor Services, will take the children from our after school program to tour the Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory. I wish I could go!  They only do tours one afternoon a month and take reservations far in advance. Those are some lucky kids. However, if you’re interested in our county crime lab, Administrator of the laboratory, Janet Anderson-Seaquist, will be the speaker at the Friends of the Susan B. Anthony House Lunch in April. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s still January, but if you’re a planner, you can actually already reserve your spot here.

I meant to make only a summary update, but there’s always so much fun stuff going on here, it’s hard to keep it short.

Welcome to our new blog! I hope to keep it updated with tidbits from life here on the inside at the Susan B. Anthony House!

–
Claire Hawley Zarcone
Administrative Assistant
Susan B. Anthony House
17 Madison Street
Rochester, NY 14608
585-279-7490 ext. 10

Rochester, NY—The Susan B. Anthony House is teaming up with Mann’s Jewelers to present a Trunk Show called “Susan B. Anthony for the Holidays” on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.at the Mann’s store, 2945 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14618.

The show features “Ms. Anthony—Purse with a Purpose,” the numbered, limited-edition purse inspired by Susan B. Anthony’s original alligator bag. The purse was created by Gail Riggs of the Abigail Riggs Collection. The cost for each is $250 plus tax, with all proceeds going to the Anthony House. In addition, Mann’s Jewelers is generously donating 10% of all its jewelry sales that take place during the trunk show.

Also on display for the event will be three newly-acquired artifacts in the Susan B. Anthony House collection—a cameo brooch that Susan B. Anthony referenced in her writings, a tortoise-shell hair comb, and kid gloves—all items that she wore regularly. They were donated to the Anthony House in 2009 by Susan B. Anthony’s great-great grandniece.

Mission Statement (adopted 4/2010): The National Susan B. Anthony House and Museum preserves the National Historic Landmark where the great reformer lived for 40 of her most politically active years, collects and exhibits artifacts related to her life and work, and offers programs through its learning center that challenge individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.

The Susan B. Anthony House is supported primarily through the contributions of its members and donors. The Susan B. Anthony House is not affiliated with other organizations bearing her name.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    November 30, 2011

CONTACT:   Ellen K. Wheeler, (585) 279-7490, ext. 15, Director of Public Relations & Communications

Subtitle: “THREE SCORE AND TEN”

Subtitle: “The Home of Mrs. Mary Thayer Sanford Was the Scene of the Happy Occasion Yesterday—Addresses and Presentations”

“The citizens of Rochester are ever willing to honor things achieved, and this is especially if the person to whom honor is due is a citizen. This fact was well demonstrated yesterday by the informal reception given to Miss Mary S. Anthony by Mrs. Mary Thayer Sanford, at No. 20 James street. The occasion was the seventieth anniversary of Miss Anthony’s birth, and between the hours of three and five in the afternoon and eight and ten in the evening, hundreds of her friends gathered to offer their congratulations and do homage to one who has done so much toward the advancement of the educational interests of the city and the securing of social and political equality for her sex.

“Miss Mary Anthony, to be sure, has not gained the national reputation which her more famous sister enjoys, yet among the people of Rochester she is regarded as a sharer in the laurels won by Susan B. Anthony. Whenever one is mentioned the personality of the other is immediately brought to mind. They have always been faithful allies in their work, and the success which the older sister has gained is largely due to the care and support of Miss Mary. The sisters have labored together for many years, and they expect to continue for a long time in their chosen work as advocates of the highest interests of women.

“Miss Mary Anthony was born in Battensville [sic], Washington county, in 1827. Her father was one of the most prominent cotton manufacturers in that section of the state. He had the supervision of a private school at his residence, where Mary Anthony received her early education. She afterwards attended a boarding school at some distance from her home, where she finished her preparatory training and laid the foundation for that learning which she was to impart to others. In 1845, the family moved to this vicinity and settled upon a pleasant farm about a mile from the city limits on the old Rapids road. There, Miss Mary began her vocation as a teacher in what was known as the “old Red school house,” on the Rapids road, and afterwards in the “old Stone school house” on the Chili road. After two years in this place, she secured a position on the faculty of a boarding school at Easton, Washington county, not far from the home of her childhood. She spent but a year in this position, however, when she returned to Rochester and began her long and successful career as a teacher in the public schools. This work was taken up in 1856 and was continued for an uninterrupted period of twenty-six years. During this time she gained a record of which she is justly proud, distributing her services among four schools, Nos. 14, 16, 3 and 2. She spent the largest part of her time at No. 14 school and it was at this place that she attained the distinction of being one of the most successful of the public school instructors. Among her scholars who have gained what might be called success in their business and political careers are Cornelius R. Parsons, state senator from the local district; Rev. Dr. Stephen Camp, a famous Unitarian minister of Brooklyn, Alonzo L. Mabbett and many others.

“While teaching No. 14 [sic] school Miss Anthony had the distinction of filling the office of principal for a short time, receiving “a man’s pay” for her services. J. R. Vosburg, who was at the head of the school during the whole of Miss Anthony’s stay there, became ill and a young man who had been a successful teacher in the country districts, was employed in his place. The young man kept the place for one day and then decided that the cares of a city school were too great and resigned his position. Miss Anthony had taken charge of the school temporarily and the board of education asked her if she would assume the duties until Mr. Vosburg’s return. She answered that she would if she could receive the same salary that Mr. Vosburg was getting. The members of the board were astounded at this seeming impudence, but they finally decided to yield to her proposition, so for one term she held the office of principal, with the same pay that a man received, and it is said, will go down to posterity as the first woman to have this distinction.

“Since leaving the school she has been prominently identified with the educational, industrial and political interests of women and in this sphere she is best known to the younger generations in Rochester families. She is, at the present time, president of the Political Equality Club and active member in several kindred organizations.”

“It was with rare hospitality, interwoven with personal love and respect, that Dr. and Mrs. Sanford devoted their handsome home to the celebration of the seventieth birthday of Miss Mary S. Anthony, and if the general interest that was taken by the people of Rochester in their participation in the anniversary reception is any index to the success of such a venture, surely the host and hostess builded [sic] much better than they knew. During the afternoon hours many guests availed themselves of the opportunity of honoring Miss Anthony but in the evening the visitors were numbered by the hundreds.

“As the guests arrived, they were received by Mrs. Sanford, who presented them to Miss Anthony. Attired in simple black satin and duchesse lace, with a pretty bouquet of bride roses in her hand, Miss Anthony presented an attractive womanly appearance. The others who assisted her in receiving were Mrs. Helen Miller, Dr. and Mrs. F. L. H. Willis, Mrs. Harper, Dr. and Mrs. Tozier, of Batavia, Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf, Susan B. Anthony and Mrs. Lynn. After all had been presented the reception resolved itself into something of a formal nature, and Mrs. Sanford then stepped forward and presented Miss Anthony with a handsome cape on behalf of the Political Equality Club…..”[Ed. Note: from an unidentified Rochester newspaper circa April 2, 1897] ]]> http://susanbanthonyhouse.org/blog/something-new-from-the-past/in-honor-of-a-womans-birthday/feed/ 0