“The Suffragettes” by Pilar Pobil | Acrylic on Canvas | 35” x 42”
In honor of the 100 year anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920, local artist Pilar Pobil created this painting to celebrate the dedication of the suffragettes who worked so hard over many years to gain equal rights to vote for women in the United States.
Artist Statement:
I support equality for all people and am always very interested in politics, especially the rights of women. I admire, very much, the work and persistence of the suffragettes, and their success in finally securing women’s constitutional right to vote. I painted “The Suffragettes” to celebrate the women who fought for us so we can vote today, and to make a statement about the importance of our vote this year.
Even after 100 years, I feel amazed that women in the US are still not treated with the same standards of equality as men, in many aspects of our lives. I believe that all people are equal no matter their race, gender, culture or heritage, education, income or sexual orientation. We are all equal and should have the same rights and voting ability.
When I came to this country from Franco’s Spain, I was so impressed that there are Republicans and Democrats, who believe in different ideals, but they have the same rights and can be friends and can debate issues and come up with solutions that are best for the country. I don’t see that happening anymore and I fear for our democracy.
Especially now, when the country is going through a terrible time, I think it is very important for all people to vote and to make sure our vote is counted fairly. I am very worried about interference in the upcoming elections and that some votes will be eliminated, lost or not counted, or that the rules for voting this year will make it impossible for many groups of people to vote. Especially now, we need our United States Postal Service to function as a dependable agency of our federal government, so mail in votes can be securely counted during this pandemic. All of our legislators, both democrats and republicans, are responsible to assure that systems are in place to hold secure elections in the United States. As citizens, we have a duty to vote this fall and let our voices and choices for the future be known.
Signed,
Pilar Pobil
Prints of this painting are available through the artist at https://www.pilarpobil.com/