Sarasota Chapter of League of Women Voters hosting event and luncheon at historic Venice Train Depot
On Saturday, Feb. 11, the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County will pay tribute to suffragists during an event planned at the historic Venice Train Depot, which stands at 303 Venice Ave. East in Venice, the League chapter has announced.
Officially, the event is called the Women’s Suffrage Prison Train Luncheon.
“On Nov. 14, 1917,” a news release explains, “33 suffragists who had been arrested a few days earlier for picketing outside the White House were tortured. The story is horrific,” the release adds, “but the women didn’t give up. Instead, they toured the country by train,” the release says, “telling their stories and continuing to fight for a Federal Amendment to give women the right to vote in every state.”
On Feb. 11, the release notes, “Local students will re-enact the caboose speeches of those women and join the audience for lunch in the train depot following their presentation. Much like they might have in 1919, all will dine on chicken or tuna salad sandwiches.”
Deviled eggs, stuffed celery and pickles, along with a choice of iced tea or lemonade, also will be served, a flyer says.
The news release adds, “The public is invited to attend and remember the struggle these suffragists faced to give women the precious right to vote.”
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., and it is scheduled to conclude at 1 p.m., the release says. The cost is $30 per person. To register, visit LWVSRQ.org, click on “Events Calendar” and the event date. The registration deadline is Feb. 5, with the number of attendees limited to 40, the release notes.
In the event someone who registers needs to cancel, the flyer points out, such notice will be accepted until 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 5. No refunds or credits will be permitted after Feb. 5.
For more information, email events@lwvsrq.com or Debbie Blackwell at deb.lou.blackwell@gmail.com. A person also may call 304-264-6154, the release points out.