For Immediate Release
Date: October 11, 2024
Contact: Barbara Guertin
barbaraguertin@worcesterhistory.net
or 508-753-8278 x111 30 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609

Worcester, Massachusetts—The Worcester Women’s History Project (WWHP), recently merged with Worcester Historical Museum (WHM) as WWHP at WHM and will host a year-long celebration of the momentous Women’s Rights Convention held on Main Street in 1850. Events will be held across the city through October 2025 and will involve scholars, performers, and historians from Worcester and beyond. The kick-off will be on October 30, 2024, at 6pm at Worcester Historical Museum, for the Annual Meeting of the Worcester Women’s History Project. Celia Blue, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC) Inc. will be the keynote speaker.

Celia Johnston Blue is a seasoned executive leader with over 25 years of experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.  In 2015, Celia led the development and public launch of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC) Inc. As President and CEO, she is leading the organization to realize its vision and mission, while strongly advocating for the voices of women of color to be heard.

Prior to her current role at MAWOCC, Celia was the Interim Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, a cabinet level position reporting to Governor McKee. Prior to her roles in Rhode Island, Celia spent nine years in the transportation industry in Massachusetts and nationally gaining experience in multiple modes. Celia is the first African American in Massachusetts’ history to serve as the Registrar for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Worcester State University (WSU), an MBA from Anna Maria College, and is currently enrolled in a PhD Leadership program at the University of Vermont. She has received awards for her leadership and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including a distinguished Alumni Award from WSU, and was named in the Power 50, Class of 2021 by Worcester Business Journal.

Why Commemorate the 1850 Woman’s Rights Convention? 
According to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, addressing the opening session of the 1870 Woman’s Rights Convention in New York City, “the movement in England, as in America, may be dated from the first National Convention, held at Worcester, Mass., October 1850.” Unlike the famous 1848 gathering at Seneca Falls which was largely a local affair (as were several others that followed), Worcester’s convention attracted delegates from most of the northern states. Seneca Falls sparked discussion, but did not produce organized activity. It was not clear in its aftermath whether there was a national constituency ready to take up the cause. Response to the Worcester meeting by women and men in the U.S. and Europe answered this question. They were ready for action.

What are some of the planned events?

• 500 Voices – The cumulative efforts of the Worcester Women’s History Oral Project will present a program at the Worcester Public Library’s Saxe Room at 5:30pm on December 4, 2024
• A celebration of Abby Kelley’s Birthday will take place on 11 th of January 2025 from noon – 3pm at The White Room, on Green Street, Worcester
• Lectures on related topics, such as local pioneering businesswoman Esther Howland’s Valentine production line, and other historical figures of the Women’s Movement.
• “City of Corsets” walking tours of downtown featuring stops at the many sites of woman-owned corset businesses in the city from 1860-1980
• Unveiling of a coloring book Extraordinary Women of Worcester featuring twenty amazing local women of Worcester history and artwork by local women of each profiled trailblazer
• A film series exploring the challenges faced by women who fought for the right to vote

How can I learn more? 
Contact Barbara Guertin – barbaraguertin@worcesterhistory.net (508) 753-8278 x111
https://www.wwhp.org/about-us
Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm Street – Worcester, MA 01609
Download the event flyer here.