Election Day 2024

I am so happy to be able to vote. Each year, I go in person to our local voting place, MEPRI Hall on Kings Highway in Mt. Ephraim. I recognise most of the poll workers and thank them for their help. Every year I have watched one or more documentaries or movies about the monumental struggle of the Suffragists who fought for our right to vote for a hundred years. My great hero of the struggle is Alice Paul She devoted her life to the struggle and she suffered but persevered. Her grace, strength, integrity and courage are an inspiration to me. Each year women who have voted go to her grave and put their "I voted" stickers on her grave stone. It brings tears to my eyes, this gesture honoring her sacrifice and devotion. Many Quaker women hav devoted their lives to various humanitarian causes including Abolition (my personal favorite is Abigail Godwin of Salem).

Each year, I also visit the grave of Peter J. Maguire (not a Quaker) who fought for workers rights. I don't know if wherever they are, they are aware of this but it tells others who also care that they are not alone in honoring our noble, devoted, self-sacrificing heroes.

This is a good place to honor two other local heroes, Benjamin Lay and John Woolman for their work in both Abolition and in vegetarianism.

Happy Voting Day fellow Americans! Jo Ann wrightj45@yahoo.com