(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Appropriately enough, a West Seattle moviehouse with history was the place today to kick off a celebration about history – On the eve of the 100th anniversary of Washington women winning the right to vote (HistoryLink.org tells the story here), West Seattle Democratic Women screened a suffragette saga at Admiral Theater. Above, WSDW chair Karen Chilcutt, who told the audience before the screening of “Iron-Jawed Angels,” “If it weren’t for them, we — in this room, couldn’t vote.” About 75 people turned out, mingling before the film:

Afterward, Alki’s Libby Carr led a discussion – she’s at center here, with Fran Presley and Donna Stewart:

At the info table, WSDW secretary Sue Backs (left) and treasurer Beth Grieser, as the group accepted new memberships today.

On November 8, 1910, Washington became the fifth state to grant women the right to vote. That was almost a full decade before the 19th Amendment was ratified in summer 1920. The anniversary will be marked in Olympia tomorrow with Day of Jubilation activities – the schedule is on the Washington Women’s History Consortium homepage. Then WSDW has a big party at the West Seattle Golf Course on Friday night, “highlighting the success and struggle of women in Washington State history,” as their announcement puts it, with period costumes welcome, hat/dress fashion shows planned, recognition of women in politics, and more, $25, reservations at wsdwomen@yahoo.com or 206-935-3216.