Press Release

Worcester Women's History Project presents WOMEN 2000

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the first National Woman's Rights Convention held in Worcester in 1850

August 17, 2000

One hundred and fifty years ago the very first National Woman's Rights Convention was held in Worcester. Through the course of time, this historically significant moment has been forgotten. In 1995 a group of local area women organized and founded the Worcester Women's History Project (WWHP) to spread awareness of Worcester's pioneering role in the women's movement.

Over the years, WWHP has sponsored a series of events and programs designed to reclaim Worcester's heritage. Their most ambitious and primary focus is Women 2000, a three-day national conference to be held October 20-22, 2000.

Women 2000 will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first National Woman's Rights Convention. To be offered are 30 workshops focusing on women's past, present and future, and an historical dramatization of the 1850 convention called "Angels & Infidels." Noted speakers including former Smith College president Jill Ker Conway; Dolores Huerta, co-founder with Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers of America; Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Margaret H. Marshall; Marge Piercy, novelist, essayist, poet and playwright; and Emily Rooney, 'GBH-TV host and executive editor of "Greater Boston" will highlight the program. A Pre-Conference for Educators will also be offered for an additional fee. Musical guests include Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group of African American women's voices.

For additional information please visit our website at www.worcesterwomen.com or call Jessie Rodrique, project coordinator at 508-767-1852.

Women 2000 is a call to action To continue the dialogue begun in 1850 To provide a forum for discussion on the present status of women And to explore the challenges and opportunities for the future.