Vol. XVIII
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Symbolof Suffrage
by Jade Densmore
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ovember 7th, 2019 was a momentous day for Southern Maine Community College, as dozens of daffodils were ceremoniously planted on the grounds to represent their support for woman suffrage- women's right to vote. Southern Maine Community College became the first college campus in Maine to partake in this Daffodil Tribute. These daffodils not only represent woman suffrage, but also honored the support towards the battle many women have fought and the battle many more women will continue to fight as we all move towards a more equal future. Many students (including David Lane, Lydia Hollen, Tyler O’Brien, Connor Hudson, Nicholas Roukey, Jehad Alromaih, Joshua Parks, Celina Simmons and Jade Densmore) came together to plant these
Lydia Hollen, Jade Densmore, Celina Simmons, and Tyler O'brien clearing the plot of weeds. Below from left to right: Conner Hudson, Tyler O'brien, Joshua Parks, Celina Simmons, Prof. Herb Adams, David Lane, Nicholas Roukey, Lydia Hollen, and Jehad Alromaih The daffodils will bloom in Spring 2020 for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote. Why daffodils you may ask? Gass explains perfectly that in February 1917, “the room at the state capitol that day was decorated with bouquets of daffodils, and the men who favoured suffrage sported a jonquil in their lapels (the anti-suffragists used the rose as their symbol)” hence the famous title of her book. This being a particularly special topic to Gass as her own great grandmother, Florence Brooks Whitehouse, stood before the men of
the Judiciary Committee of the Maine State Legislature fighting for women's right to vote. As Anne B. Gass shared, “Ultimately, on November 5th, 1919, the Maine legislature ratified the 19th Amendment through which most women won the right to vote. This fall we are honoring Maine suffragists’ hard work by planting thousands of daffodils all over the state; your ceremony today is part of that effort.” SMCC will hopefully be visited by her in the Spring when those beautiful yellow daffodils bloom.
sented in recognition of those who carry confidence and commitment through their work in helping Maine grow. They also awarded Mr. Dempsey with this award after his speech on his non-profit, the Dempsey Center, and climate change; how we can be more aware The first award, “Professional of and conscious of our actions. the Year” was presented to Deb NeuI knew I couldn't leave without man, president of the Bangor Chamber at least one picture with Patrick of Commerce. She earned this award Dempsey. I had prepared some for the leadership she’s demonstratquestions throughout the night just in ed through her passion for learning. case I could get an interview with him Following was a video and- lo and behold, I did! When the presentation of the seven awards ended, more people gathered out of eight past Maine for pictures as well, but before leavGovernors. For a more ing, he agreed to take an extra 10 minutes out detailed recap of this of his night for our interview. video and what the Regardless of the governors had to say, big name Dempsey has check out “Recapping made for himself, he Past Governors” on says he always carries a page 5 of this issue! piece of Maine in his After the heart. I first asked video presentation, him how he felt Janet Mills, Joseph about what the Brennan, and governors had to Kenneth Curtis say in the video. were awarded the He responded “Dirigo” Award with the biggest on behalf of all the take away being governors featured to get to know in the video. As each personal the state motto, story and seeing Managing Editor, Celina Simmons, Dirigo translates the humanity posing with actor, Patrick Dempsey, at the to “I lead” and the behind it that can Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner award was presometimes be for-
gotten and how important it is for leaders to show that humanity. I was curious about what he himself does in the fight against climate change after hearing all the suggestions he made in his speech earlier. “We are very conscious of what we bring into the house now… It’s very tricky in California because we are seeing the profound impacts,” he explained, “It’s really horrifying when you have children and they say we won’t have anything in 30 years.” In regards to what we (as a community) can do and have done, he responded with, “There is always more. This is not enough.” He mentioned how we need more government support and individual responsibility to force our leaderships to change. That is why this upcoming election is so critical, especially for young voters. He is encouraging young voters to step up, “This is what is democracy. Democracy is your vote.” I would like to encourage you to take a moment and place yourself into an evening unlike your own. Imagine standing where you stand under rules you don’t agree with, under a power residing so far away that your opinion never mattered in the slightest. Now, imagine your voice was heard. Imagine the government took action with that voice and now, there is hope hope that your voice will continue to be heard in a brand new democracy. Welcome to America and welcome to Maine. As Janet Mills said earlier that evening “we are blessed to live here, not burdened.”
bulbs and to hear the words of professor and Faculty Advisor for the Senate Herb Adams. Unfortunately, SMCC President Joe Cassidy, and Anne B. Gass, the well known Maine-born author of “Voting Down The Rose” which encapsulates her great grandmother’s story and her fight for suffrage, could attend this event. Their speeches were read by the Student Senate President, Joshua Parks, and by the Director of Records and Managing Editor of SMCC’s school newspaper the Beacon, Celina Simmons.
Maine’s 200thDreamy" c M " Birthday with
by Celina Simmons
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t the Annual Dinner for the Maine’s State Bicentennial, special guest speaker Patrick Dempsey said, “There’s strength in compromise, not weakness,” when reflecting on the history of Maine and our past governors. Through what was said that evening by each guest speaker, the statement stands true. The dinner was held October 30th by the The dinner was held October 30th by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, celebrating 200 years of Maine being an independent state in the United States of America. The first hour of the evening began with a reception for all the guests to mingle and during that hour, Patrick Dempsey (also known as “McDreamy” from the hit series Grey’s Anatomy) arrived. Dempsey is a Maine native, born in Lewiston, and also founded the Dempsey Center, a non-profit organization focused on providing services and treatments to individuals dealing with cancer and their families in Maine. He posed for pictures and conversed with some of the attendees before President of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Dana Connors, welcomed us to a lovely dinner.
No. 5
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARKE CANFIELD
Issue Date 11|12|19
“We are blessed to live here, not burdened.”