‘Empowered to Vote’ Women gather in Norfolk to honor the legacy of Ida B. Wells

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – In honor of Women’s Equality Day, women from all over the state traveled to the Chrysler Museum for the Ida B. Wells March: ‘Empowered to Vote’ Saturday morning.

Women in the NAACP organized the event to celebrate the legacy of Ida B. Wells and emphasize the importance of voting.

“The Ida B. Wells March is very important. During that time, she really fought for the right to vote,” said the organizer of the march, Virginia NAACP Vice President and Hampton City Branch President Gaylene Kanoyton. “During the suffrage march, she was not allowed to come to the front of the march, but she forced her way up to the front of the march. She fought her way through, even though Black women weren’t allowed to vote during that time. It wasn’t until the 1960s that Black women had the right to vote.”

The march aims to empower women of all races and ages in this nonpartisan movement.

“We wanted to come together with everyone, all women and just reiterate the importance and the empowerment of our vote,” Kanoyton said.

“[Ida B. Wells] was the first woman to help women of color, to help bring the NAACP organization together,” said NAACP Norfolk President Stacie Armstead. “For myself, being the first elected woman of the NAACP Norfolk branch, it’s just powerful to me. It just shows how much she has laid the way for me to be in this position to lead others.”

Elected leaders including Rep. Bobby Scott, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, and Dels. Bonita Anthony and Jackie Glass will all shared remarks ahead of the march.

The police led march took place along Duke Street and Olney.

“We have to do something, and to do something is to make certain that everybody understands the issues, said Penny Blue program director of Red, Wine, and Blue VA. “That’s what Red Wine and Blue does. We are a nonprofit, so we educate people on the issues and especially women on the issues. Women’s rights and health issues are critically important. Just as important is what is going on in the school system. Education is the foundation of our democracy, which is why it is being attacked.”

The women and men are standing in solidarity for voting rights and equality to continue.

“I want everybody to remember that your vote and your voice really matters and representation is so important. So whatever your stance is, whatever your belief is in this system, you should get out and vote and make a decision,” said Armistead.

Learn more about the Virginia NAACP visit naacpva.org .

Women’s Equality Day was observed Aug. 26.

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