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Leaders unveil 'Huntsville's Pioneer Suffragists' marker

The Twickenham Town Chapter of DAR unveiled the new marker during the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment ratification.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — One hundred years later we remember when it became legal for women to vote in the U.S.

Here in Huntsville, several women were part of that movement. Local groups and leaders gathered to unveil the "Huntsville's Pioneer Suffragists" marker.

"This is the first of five markers in Huntsville that will honor women in Women Suffrage," says Twickenham Town Chapter DAR Regent, Sue Shaver.

The moment to unveil this marker took more than a year and a half in the making. The Twickenham Town Chapter of the DAR funded this historic marker.

"One of the things we strive for is historic preservation. And historic preservation, this fits right in," added Shaver.

However, there's a story behind why it's on 416 McClung Avenue. The house behind the marker is where a group of women pioneered the Suffrage Movement in Huntsville.

"All these suffrage meetings were held here," says Louise Reynolds.

Reynolds is connected to that home. It's where her great grandmother Alberta Chapman Taylor, and her great, Aunt Ellelee Chapman Humes, once lived.

"Virginia Clay-Clopton lived here. They all lived here at the same time," says Reynolds.

All three women died before the 19th amendment was ratified. "Even though they didn't live to see the vote, that was a part - all of what they did was a part of the achievement of the vote," says Reynolds.

"I guess I never thought about it before, and all of a sudden I said 'Oh, my gosh' these three powerful women who lived here at the same time, and what they were trying to achieve," added Reynolds.

Today, everything now returns full circle. "Ellelee Chapman Humes is a founding member of the Twickenham Town chapter DAR, so that's what meant a lot to us," says Shaver.

"I know that my family is looking down. And I know they're really proud," added Reynolds.

Leaders say next year the Historic Huntsville Foundation will dedicate a marker to Black women in the Women's Suffrage at W.C. Councill Park.

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