FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Ellen K. Wheeler
Director of Development & Public Relations
(585) 279-7490, ext. 12
Susan B. Anthony House to commemorate the
103rd 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 own 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. For two days, close friends and family came to call. Then on March 15, the world said good-bye at an immense funeral held in Central Presbyterian Church (now the Hochstein School of Music). Amid a raging blizzard as severe as those that had challenged Miss Anthony’s own many journeys for The Cause, thousands of mourners filled the church and over ten thousand more passed by her flag-draped coffin that was flanked by an honor guard of women students from the University of Rochester—the school she’d finally opened up to them in 1900. Next to the coffin was a silk suffrage flag with four gold stars, representing the only states where women then could vote; pinned on her breast was a jeweled flag pin with four diamond stars, a gift from women of Wyoming, the first in our nation to win the vote, thanks to all of her efforts on their behalf.
The Rochester newspaper of the day reported “Rochester made no secret of its personal grief. There must have been people of every creed, political party, nationality, and plane of life in those long lines that kept filing through the aisles of Central Church. The young and the aged of the land were represented. Every type was there to bow in reverence, respect and grief. Professional men, working men, financiers came to offer homage. Women brought little children to see the face of her who had aimed at being the emancipator of her sex, but whose work had ended just as victory seemed within reach. Priests, ministers…, rabbis …, came to look upon her who had more than once given them inspiration in dark moments.”
The Susan B. Anthony House will observe the 103rd anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s death this Friday, March 13, 2009 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 Miss Anthony’s life and legacy by executive director, Deborah L. Hughes. The public is invited to attend. Susan B. Anthony died in her bedroom on the second floor of #17 Madison Street on March 13, 1906, at the age of 86.
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.
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