More than 50 girls from Boston, Lynn, Lawrence, and Lowell sat spellbound inside Boston’s historic Emerson Colonial Theatre last March as the story of young suffragists fighting for the right to vote unfolded before them in Suffs. For many students, it was the first live musical they had ever seen — and by the end of the performance, some were in tears, inspired by the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the women who changed American history.
“This was the first musical the girls had ever seen live, and they had so much fun,” said one educator from Girls Inc. of Lynn and Greater Boston. “We had youth crying during the show and youth telling us they didn’t want to leave.”
The powerful musical tells the true story of 27-year-old suffragist Alice Paul and the final years of the decades-long fight for women’s right to vote. Students watched as Paul and a determined group of young women organized marches, endured arrests, and even carried out a daring hunger strike in the final push before the 19th Amendment was ratified into law.
The trips were part of the Foundation’s celebration of Women’s History Month and gave students an opportunity to learn about the women whose courage and determination helped secure rights many enjoy today.
“Alice Paul’s fight was amazing to watch,” said one student. “I had never heard her story before. I’m so glad I got to come and see this show.”
The Kynock Foundation welcomed students from Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn, and Esperanza Academy. Several of the trips were partially funded through local cultural grants from the Mass Cultural Council in Lynn and Lawrence.
At its heart, Suffs is a story about women who imagined a better future and worked tirelessly to make it possible. The musical challenges audiences to ask themselves: “How can we do it if it’s never been done?”
Because of supporters like you, these students left the theater inspired to imagine the possibilities for their own futures.