NEVADA CITY, Calif. August 26, 2020 – This morning, August 26, 2020, a plaque honoring prominent Nevada City suffragist Ellen Clark Sargent was dedicated in Calanan Park. The plaque was sponsored by The Native Daughters of the Golden West, The Daughters of the American Revolution, and The Nevada County Historical Society, in cooperation with the Nevada County Historic Landmarks Commission and the City of Nevada City. At the recommendation of the Landmarks Commission, the Board of Supervisors designated it a County Historical Landmark, NEV 20-03, on May 26, 2020.
The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which was ratified August 18, and enacted into law August 26, 1920. This constitutional amendment guarantees and protects women’s right to vote, and marks one of the largest expansions of democracy in the history of the United States.
Ellen Clark Sargent, a resident of Nevada City, and a leader in the fight to secure the right to vote for women, began her campaign about 150 years ago when in 1869 she organized the Nevada County Woman’s Suffrage Association.
Her campaign for women’s suffrage led to the constitutional amendment first being introduced into the U.S. Senate in 1878 by her husband, U.S. Senator A.A. Sargent. She never gave up the fight for the passage of the 19th Amendment; but, unfortunately, did not live long enough to see its passage.
In compliance with Covid-19 requirements, the sponsors held a brief dedication. The Commission and sponsors hope to have a public ceremony next year.
The plaque will be featured in the next edition of the Commission’s interactive landmarks map and its e-book. The ebook is an electronic guide to all the over 200 historical landmarks in the County, and is available for any smartphone or tablet from Apple or Amazon. Go to You Bet Press (youbetpress.com) to find clickable links.