From 10-months to 106 years, the crowds gathered to celebrate 100 years since women's suffrage

On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020, I was privileged to march in a parade commemorating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Commencing at the American Labor Museum, in Haledon, New Jersey, where my husband serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees, the crowd gathered for speeches before a short march. 

Our 106-year-old cousin Juliet was the oldest participant, as she addressed the crowd by telephone from Chatham, Massachusetts. Our 10-month-old granddaughter Solly was the youngest one at the parade. Dr.Angelica Santomauro, Executive Director of the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark announced, “100 years since women’s suffrage…celebrated at the American Labor Museum with special guest Juliet Bernstein.” 

The crowd stood eagerly waiting to hear what the previously unannounced guest had to offer. Juliet was seven years old when her mother cast her first ballot in 1920. She wooed the audience when she announced that her mother voted along with her husband for Eugene V. Debs, who ran as the Socialist candidate.

A retired New York City school teacher holding a master’s degree, Juliet spoke of her trip from where her family lived in New York state and going by horse and wagon, to the polls. Juliet and her three siblings accompanied their parents as they voted together for the first time. She said that it made a "huge impression" on her, adding that she is still a union member collecting a pension and Social Security. Although at her age, while she can no longer do the things she once did, she is still an activist writing letters.   

After sending a video recording of his mother’s powerful speech, which our son recorded on his cellphone, my husband addressed questions from Juliet’s younger son Bruce. Enamored by his mother’s part in the Botto House celebration, Juliet’s son wanted to know more about the museum and the audience.  

“Bruce,

"The rally was at the American Labor Museum in Haledon, New Jersey, near Paterson. It was in honor of 100 years of women’s suffrage and international women’s day…there were speeches, songs, and a march. Your mother spoke at my recommendation. 

“Juliet took the front stage (via telephone) with politicians and union officials. She stole the show.

“In 1913, there was a silk strike in Paterson. Every Sunday, there would be speakers rallying about the strike at the house owned by Pietro Botto, in nearby Haledon. It was the largest house in the area. The house was owned by the Botto family until it became a landmark and a museum. There are rallies for various progressive topics held there throughout the year. Just the type of crowd that loved everything about your mom.”  

As we marched down Norwood Street in Haledon, the crowd's banter centered around Juliet’s presentation. Everyone focused on aspiring to be as active and vocal in their golden years as Juliet.   

In 2017, soon after the story of her family’s part in women’s suffrage was published in We the Resilient: Wisdom For America From Women Born Before Suffrage, by Sarah Bunin Benor (Editor), Thomas Fields-Meyer (Editor), my husband interviewed Juliet on his radio show, The World of Work. The book covers the life and times of women born before suffrage. Shortly after its publication, Juliet, at merely 104, energetically told her story in a thirty-minute live interview over the airwaves.

Still actively writing letters and recently finishing her memoir, Juliet has been waiting for a long time since suffrage to vote for the first woman to be elected as President of the United States. It’s been only months short of a century since she accompanied her mother on their horse and wagon, with the fringed canopy, to cast her first vote. At 106, Juliet will have to continue writing letters and books, and sending me sage advice via email, as she waits to take part in another facet of United States history.