SuffrageForward

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In December 2021, SuffrageForward held a screening/Q&A of a most powerful film by Joe Allen, “There Was No Silence,” documenting this horrific story and the plight to get one minute of silence in remembrance of the Olympic team.

Here’s a short back history, quoting Joe’s posting:

 “For 49 years, the IOC rejected any and all calls to hold a minute of silence. First, they said it was too soon after the murders to hold a minute of silence, then they said it was not the right message to present at the opening ceremonies, then they flat out maintained the Arab countries would boycott the Games if they held such a minute-long ceremony. Ankie and some of the other family members would not give up their efforts. In 2010, a relationship between David Kirschtel, CEO of JCC Rockland and the victims’ families developed and before long, the JCC had joined the effort to try and make it happen.

My part of it was to write, produce and direct a documentary on those efforts. I ended up taking three trips to Israel to conduct interviews and actually make two films, “20 Million Minutes” about the effort to change the IOC’s minds, and seven years later a second film, “There Was No Silence,” to update what had happened since JCC Rockland got involved. It was an incredibly deep dive into the subject, into Israel, into the JCC, and to forging a bond and friendship with Ankie Spitzer.

As it turned out, the International Olympic Committee held a minute of silence for the murdered Israelis at the start in Olympics in Tokyo last July. After 49 years, the families had their efforts pay off.”

 We now approach the 50th anniversary of the brutal terror attack, and Ankie came back to Rockland to receive the accolades and share the victory with the JCC community. However she is still fighting with the German government about their 50th Anniversary event in September. We must never let this incident be forgotten. We must honor those who have unnecessarily lost their lives due to hatred, and support those who persist in the effort to bring awareness of these events to the forefront so we may learn from history.

 Joe and I are talking about SuffrageForward launching another screening/Q&A of “There Was No Silence.”  Keep checking our website so you too may learn the history behind this horrific day in Olympic history, the ongoing fight for respect and recognition, the part JCC Rockland played, and find inspiration in the strength and persistence of Ankie Spitzer.

www.suffrageforward.org

After 15 years catering to the fashion-forward residents of South Nyack, p.ross boutique has closed. 

Owner, former actress/model Paulette Ross, has decided — after over 30 years in the fashion industry —  to retire from retail and switch her focus to causes near and dear to her heart. 

"It's a combination of things," Ross said. "After 15 years, I wanted to see what was going on; what I'm to be and what I'm going to do. Fifteen years is a big deal so I wanted to get through that. I went to Europe in February in the middle of fashion week. The day after I came home, they shut down Milan, which is where I was." 

Like many others, the pandemic impacted her business. 

"I was (planning the closure) strategically, to see where they country was," Ross added. "No matter what I would do, promoting, sales, customers were still not shopping." 

Ross said she made her decision to close the boutique in July, the store's anniversary month. She closed her shop during the third week of September.

"For 15 years this community was very good to me," Ross said. "I thank everyone who has supported me through the years, whether by buying the clothes, the shoes, the bags, or by supporting my volunteer work. I couldn't do it without them. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone I got to meet in 15 years of business and now it's onward to new beginnings!" 

Though mourning the loss of her beloved boutique, Ross said she is "pivoting" her attention to her two nonprofit endeavors for now.

The Nyack Art Walk, a celebration of local artists, would have celebrated its 15th anniversary this year too, if it wasn't for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Whenever I do (host the Nyack Art Walk), it'll be the 15th anniversary," Ross said. "(The artists) were sad because they've been looking forward to it. I told them we have next year." 

Besides planning the annual art walk, Ross is also chairperson for Suffrage Forward...100 Years & Onward, a nonprofit that aims to celebrate women's rights as well as empower them. The nonprofit, which launched on the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th amendment has been putting together a three-part documentary meant to empower women as well as planning future events.

"Things are moving ahead," Ross said. "Anything can happen. It's just about pivoting." 

Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Keep up on the latest comings and goings by joining our Facebook group at What's going there Westchester, Rockland, Putnam. Contact Clark via email, hclark@lohud.com. 

Nyack Sketch Log: Paulette Ross Retires from Retail

by Bill Batson

September 22, 2020

After 15 years of merging fashion, culture, and civics, Paulette Ross is retiring from retail. This Friday, September 25, the owner of p.ross boutique and the founder of ARTWALK will close her Main Street doors, opening the next chapter of her life.

Nyack Sketch Log talked to Paulette about the sartorial style and strategy she brought to Nyack and what comes next for the woman who built a store where art and fashion met.

Why retire now?

With a 15 year run under my fashionable belt, retiring from retail was in my game plan. A couple years ago, I started sensing a recession on the horizon worse than the housing debacle. It would be economic and my travels to Italy for my exclusive fashion collections and footwear was reinforcing my opinion.

I had just returned from Milan and Fashion Week one day before Milan was shut down, and then came our March lockdown. By May, it became evident and quite clear that a tough decision had to be made. It was time to pivot. Time for new beginnings.

Despite the pandemic, you pulled off SuffrageForward, a 3-part series of art celebrating 100 years of women’s suffrage? How was it received?

SuffrageForward was established a year and a half ago. We had a goal to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and bring awareness to the strength, resiliency, and persistence of women past and present, as well as inspire all peoples in our quest for equality. 100 years ago the pandemic nearly halted the women’s movement-but they persisted. Well, we couldn’t let this one stop us!

“The Power of Persistence,” a 3-part video series, was born. In the age of Zoom, it has become a success received internationally! Schools and various organizations have been requesting screenings of this series and we are so very proud.

What’s next for Suffrage Forward? You mentioned something about the struggle to add the ERA to the constitution? That sounds exciting.

Next on the SuffrageForward agenda, along with our social media platforms, is Monumental Monday’s, OTD (on this day) celebrations of women who have made a difference, as well as our VOTE campaign.

This will include our hosting a panel discussion with Meredith Bergmann (a sculptor and creator of the new Central Park monument), Coline Jenkins (great, great granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton), and Pam Elam (President of MonumentalWomenNY). This event is in collaboration with RoCA, and will take place Nov 8th. (The number of attendees is TBD based on social distancing regulations.)

Looking forward, we are planning a video event on American Women in the Arts, and our next 3-part video series based around the ERA and the environment.

 What are your plans for ARTWALK 15?

Due to the pandemic, the 15th anniversary of ARTWALK had to be cancelled this year. Since the 15th year happens when it happens, the event and celebration will take place June 18, 19, 20 in 2021

What inspired you to start ART WALK?

I have always enjoyed being part of a community and decided that just owning a boutique wasn’t enough. I joined Friends of the Nyacks as a board member and brought ART WALK along as an event under their umbrella. I have served as chair for over 3 years creating more events such as Apple Fest, Appraise This, Plays in the Park, and the Red Carpet Oscar Party.

With the few hours left in my day after running my shop, I joined in on the branding of Nyack along with leaders of other civic organizations. Nyack Marketing Association (VisitNyack) was established and I served as its first chair, branding “Nyack ART & SOUL on the Hudson.”

The inspiration for ART WALK came from my tag line, “where art meets fashion.” The wealth of talent in our area combined with my desire to get more customers into our wonderful shops became my challenge. Nine months after opening my store, ART WALK was born.

 What’s next for Paulette?

Through door number one, as a union member, I want to resume my 25 year career in TV and film. A year & a half ago, before the pandemic, I booked several movies and TV shows.

Door number two will be to continue my work with nonprofits, using all of the connections I’ve made over 30 years in the world of fashion and design.

To all the wonderful people who I’ve met in the last 15 years, it has been an honor to take you through the fashions of the times, and I thank you all for the smiles on your faces as you walked through my door.

An artist and writer, Bill Batson lives in Nyack, NY. Nyack Sketch Log: “Paulette Ross Retires from Retail“© 2020 Bill Batson. Visit billbatsonarts.com to see more.

News 12's Tara Rosenblum reflects on the decades-long crusade that ultimately gave women the right to vote in a Power and Politics special. Marking 100 years since women gained the right to vote, Rosenblum asked people about which suffragist they find most inspirational -- and spoke to the great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Rosenblum also caught up with some of the women who hold the highest offices of power in New York today.

Some of the women include Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Assembly Member Amy Paulin and Attorney General Letitia James.

New York state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins shattered New York's glass ceiling in 2019, becoming the first women in the history of New York to lead a conference. "When I became...the majority leader, I asked the 20 women in the chamber to stand -- 20. So when you think of the fact that almost a third of them are women, it's incredible," she says. "The reality is that we are coming a long way, but here we are also in an environment where you see women's health, we see reproductive rights, being rolled back."

Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential candidate of a major political party, agrees. "We've made a lot of progress. I would never deny that, but we still have a long way to go on women's rights, on gay rights, on making sure that every person has the same chance to have their dignity and their identity respected," she says.

Compared to the rest of the world, the United States has the largest number of women in federal, state and local elected office.

SuffrageForward ‘Walk the Carpet’

On January 25, 2020 SuffrageForward will host a special event, celebrating women in stage and screen.

More information on the ‘Walk the Carpet’ can be found on the events page of this website.

SuffrageForward is accepting items which will be raffled as part of the ‘Walk the Carpet’ event. Gift card donations are also welcome and appreciated. All in-kind donations are tax deductible and will be listed in our electronic event journal and all contributors will be acknowledged in the description of the raffle items. All in-kind donors will be announced and thanked periodically throughout the evening. To donate a good or service to to help make this year’s kickoff event extra special, please email info@SuffrageForward.org

Proceeds from this event will be used to fund SuffrageForward 2020 year-long programs.

SuffrageForward is a component of Rockland Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3). In order for us to progress towards our goal, we need support from our neighbors. Be a part of celebrating the courageous women throughout history and making connections in our Rockland County community, and support SuffrageForward today.

Once again, thank you in advance for your consideration and generous donation.

The Launch

SuffrageForward was officially founded in November 2019 with the goal of presenting events and programming to promote celebration and remembrance of the passage of the 19th amendment.

Press Release: SuffrageForward Launched to Mark the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage

Nyack, NY, November 20, 2019

SuffrageForward, a new fund in the Rockland Community Foundation, will present a series of events in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which affirmed women’s right to vote and granted them the power to shape policy.

Organized under the name and tag line “SuffrageForward…100 Years & Onward,” its mission is not only to celebrate women’s right to vote, but to empower women now and in the future and create awareness among all people of the strength and resiliency of girls and women.

Over the next year, SuffrageForward will present a series of events to call attention to the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and to highlight the activism and courage of the women and men in Rockland County who supported and fought for women’s right to vote. The group intends to take a leadership role in celebrating this momentous event by working with organizations in Rockland and beyond on a series of events and activities which will span many genres of expressions: street theater, visual and literary art, dramatic readings, performance art, speakers’ series along with activities falling within education, health, wellness, government and history.

Already on tap is a “Walk the Carpet” fundraiser in January, prior to the Academy Awards, to celebrate women in film. There will be a February showing of the documentary, “Two Schools in Hillburn,” which highlights a strike by students forced to attend a separate but equal public school in Hillburn. It was led by mostly women from Hillburn along with help from a young Thurgood Marshall. A remarkable piece of art, “The Web,” by noted Rockland artist Cristina Biaggi, will be exhibited at the Garner Arts Center in May and the Rockland Center for the Arts in August. The piece measures 45 ft in diameter and is a double-sided cloth collage. The panels that comprise the collage depict women’s political actions through the ages and throughout the world. Nyack’s annual ARTWALK, June 19-21, will celebrate its 15th anniversary. The theme is “Persistence…A Woman’s Story” and will highlight women artists. The theme is and will highlight women artists. A wide range of additional events and activities will be announced as 2020 approaches.

SuffrageForward was organized by Paulette Ross, who chairs the group, Harriet Cornell, Robin Rosenberg, Cristina Biaggi, Lilian Morvay and Joe Allen. Additional committees and event coordinators will be added in the coming weeks.

SuffrageForward gives Rockland County residents and visitors from throughout the region the opportunity to acknowledge one of the most important changes to the US Constitution—the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. But it also celebrates the contribution of women in American life, particularly on a local level,” said Chairperson Paulette Ross. “The schedule of events chosen, the groups and organizations we intend to work with and the number of people who will join with us will grow in number as we get closer to the actual August, 2020 anniversary of the amendment.”

Look for announcements regarding ways to volunteer or sponsor events. SuffrageForward is a fund within the nonprofit Rockland Community Foundation.