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Purple, gold lights shine on landmarks, honor women’s voting rights


Last updated August 27, 2020

By Tina Underwood

As the nation celebrated the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, buildings and landmarks became beacons of purple, gold and white, the colors of the women’s suffrage movement. The in the Aug. 26 tribute commemorating the 19th Amendment, “Forward Into Light,” Furman’s bell tower, Duke Library, Liberty Bridge, Greenville Drive stadium, Upcountry History Museum and M. Judson Booksellers were among the structures draped in the symbolic hues.

At M. Judson, the former Greenville County Courthouse, FOX Carolina caught up with Courtney Tollison ’99, Furman assistant professor of history. At the building, which stood witness to Greenville’s role in the fight for women’s voting rights, Tollison described the sacrifices women made to win the right. “This was an 85-year plus fight that these women engaged in. They were arrested. They went to prison. They engaged in hunger strikes. At least one woman died, and it is particularly important in this election year that we appreciate the ability to fully participate in our civic and political life,” she said.

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