May Arkwright Hutton Memorial Tree Ceremony
Lincoln Park
April 22, 2008 - Earth Day
Thanks to the perserverance of AKPA member Marion Moos, an American yellowwood tree was planted April 22, 2008, Earth Day, in Lincoln Park. The Park is adjacent to the former Spokane home of May and her husband. The Women's Coalition helped with announcements of the program, including suffragette-styled attendees wore "Votes for Women" sashes as well.
AKPA's Vice President Linda McHenry served as master of ceremonies and Marion provided the history of the original tree planting. Coralee Brewer gave an overview of May's life (see the link to May Arkwright Hutton Tree Speech for full text.) The Parks and Recreation staff set the tree in place in advance of the ceremony. As a closing gesture in the program, most attendees tossed a ceremonial shovelful of dirt around th tree, each voicing recognition to May or encouragement ot everyone present to continue working in her spirit.
The original memorial tree planting occurred May 4, 1916, part of efforts of national and Eastern Washington suffragists to appeal to Representative C.C. Dill and Presidnet Wilson to call upon the Democratic Party to seek Congressional passage of the Constitutional Amendment granting women the right to vote. A Spokane newspaper front page article dated May 5 stated, "The cremonies dedicating the birch tree planted by the Spokane Floral Association as a memorial to the late Mrs. May Arkwright Hutton drew a large following of women to the Lincoln Park yesterday morning. The tree is planted...at a point close to the Hamilton residence in Riverview...Mrs. Florence Bayard Hilles of Delaware was the first of the national suffragists to heap a shovelful of earth over the tree." Fifty years later, the Spokane NOW chapter celebrated Women's Equality Day with a picnic near the tree and members were featured in a photo in the Spokesman-Review.
International Women's Day
March 8, 2008
The Spokane Women's Coalition, made up of nearly 20 different women's organizations, sponsored the annual International Women's Day program held on March 2, 2008, at the Women's Club auditorium. This United Nations world-wide event both honors the progress on and assesses the failures of efforts to secure equality for women everywhere. Tough topics like sex trade and the ravages of war and "ethnic cleansing" were some of the grim realities so many women still endure.
AKPA's Linda McHenry and Nan Ingalls staffed our display table featuring recent activities, winning 2006 candidates and, of course, May Arkwright Hutton and Agnes Kehoe. Diane Crow, AKPA past president, was presented with the 2008 Bella Abzug Award, one of four women recognized at this event for their contributions to the welfare of women, leadership on issues of community concern and political activism.
Members Assist with Governor's Town Hall Meeting
October 30, 2007
Eighteen of AKPA Spokane's members assisted with sign in tables and hall hosting at Governor Gregoire's well-attended town hall meeting at University High School on October 30, 2007. A few members are featured in the attached photo taken by the Governor's staff photographer.
Left to right: Carol McVicker, Linda McHenry, Governor Gregoire, Lori Aluna, Catherine Willis, Diane Crow.
