Project continues celebration of 19th Amendment

A black and white photo of Meg Griffiths. — Meg Griffiths

The ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 鈥� giving women the right to vote 鈥� was a major milestone in women鈥檚 history. 草莓传媒官网下载 visual arts faculty member Meg Griffiths, accustomed to examining the human experience through a camera lens, teamed with fellow photographer Frances Jakubek to mark the centennial of the amendment鈥檚 passage.

Their efforts resulted in , a large-scale collaboration that continues to draw national and international attention.

The photographic collaborative was featured in NPR鈥檚 , , and numerous other publications. Despite many venues being closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eight exhibitions of A Yellow Rose Project took place in galleries from New Mexico to Virginia. .

More is planned for 2021, including shows at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Vincennes University in Indiana, and Boston University. Additional dates may be added.

Griffiths said she and Jakubek also are working on a contract to publish a book about A Yellow Rose Project.

鈥淪o many good things are happening, and I believe it will be the gift that keeps on giving when we publish and then do a book tour,鈥� Griffiths said.

More on A Yellow Rose Project

Why a yellow rose?

It was on Aug. 18, 1920, that women wearing yellow roses stood shoulder to shoulder in Tennessee awaiting the roll call of men who would cast their votes for or against a woman鈥檚 right to a voice in government. The bright flower was an outward symbol of their expression to gain equal representation.

Why the collaboration?

Griffiths said the women鈥檚 purpose was to look back upon this part of history from various perspectives. In doing so, they drew on the efforts of 105 women photographers from across the country.

Six of the women involved in the project, including Griffiths, have a 草莓传媒官网下载 connection:

Elizabeth Claffey, a 草莓传媒官网下载 alumna, is assistant professor of photography at Indiana University
Susan kae Grant is a 草莓传媒官网下载 professor emerita of visual arts
Kalee Appleton, a 草莓传媒官网下载 alumna, is an assistant professor of art at Texas Christian University
Deedra Baker, a 草莓传媒官网下载 alumna, is a lecturer at TCU and executive director of the Art Room in Fort Worth
Ashley Kauschinger, a 草莓传媒官网下载 alumna, is editor in chief of Light Leaked and founder of Lensclass

Some women, but not all

Griffiths noted that, though women鈥檚 suffrage movement granted rights to some women, it was not until much later that all American women, regardless of race, were given the same privilege. The various perspectives of photographers involved in A Yellow Rose Project provide 鈥渂oth a critical eye as well as one that sees how far we have come,鈥� she said.

Karen Zusman "Dear Sojourner"

A crowd at a women's march holding signs.

Kris Sanford "Women's March Lansing" (2018)

A woman dressed as a gladiator at the US capitol.

Jeanine Michna Bales "Standing Together"

Media Contact

Karen Garcia
Communication Specialist
940-898-3472
kgarcia@twu.edu

Page last updated 4:50 PM, March 1, 2021