Worcester—The Worcester Women’s History Project (WWHP), now integrated with the Worcester Historical Museum (WHM), is spearheading a year-long series of events to honor the pivotal 1850 Women’s Rights Convention held on Main Street.
Celebrating its legacy, the city hosts scholars, historians, and performers through October 2025, shedding light on Worcester’s deep roots in the women’s rights movement.
The celebration kicks off with WWHP’s Annual Meeting on Oct. 30 at the Worcester Historical Museum, where Celia Johnston Blue, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC), serves as keynote speaker. Blue has more than 25 years of leadership experience in both public and private sectors, and in 2015, she founded MAWOCC, an organization advocating for the voices of women of color.
The 1850 Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester is considered a turning point in the women’s suffrage movement. Unlike the smaller, local Seneca Falls gathering in 1848, Worcester’s convention attracted delegates from across the northern U.S. and Europe, solidifying a national and international push for women’s rights.
Event Highlights:
- 500 Voices: On Dec. 4, 2024, the Worcester Women’s History Oral Project presents its findings at the Worcester Public Library’s Saxe Room.
- Abby Kelley’s Birthday Celebration: A tribute to the activist held on Jan. 11, 2025, at The White Room in Worcester.
- Historical Lectures: Topics include local trailblazers like Esther Howland and her contributions to business and women’s rights.
- “City of Corsets” Walking Tours: Explore downtown Worcester’s history of women-owned corset businesses.
- Film Series and a New Coloring Book: The “Amazing Women of Worcester” coloring book will feature artwork by local women highlighting 20 historical figures.
The events offer diverse perspectives, connecting modern Worcester residents to their city’s rich past, while continuing to inspire future generations to engage in advocacy and activism. This year-long commemoration will serve not just as a look back at history but as a call to continue advancing women’s rights today.
For more information, visit [Worcester Historical Museum’s website] or contact WWHP at WHM directly.
