Spence News
Upper Schoolers Dive into the History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and Attend “Suffs”
On a crisp autumn afternoon, all Spence Upper School students traveled to the Theatre District to attend “Suffs,” a Broadway show about the women’s suffrage movement, and produced by alumna Jill Furman ’86. The remarkable afternoon turned the theater into a classroom, amplified the Spence history curriculum, and provided the opportunity to connect to our present-day landscape.
Nearly filling the theater’s entire mezzanine level, hundreds of students, faculty, and staff took their seats in eager anticipation of the show. The cast transported students back in time to the 1910s, a critical moment in the fight for women’s equality. As history came alive that afternoon, students also noted the many parallels between the suffrage movement then and the status of women’s equality today.
Conversations about women’s equality and the suffrage movement occurred in history classrooms before and after the show. To equip students with a solid historical background in advance of the performance, Grade 9 history teachers Ms. Emerson and Ms. Taveras centered their lessons on how women in the United States got the vote, highlighting key figures and important milestones associated with the suffrage movement. To illuminate this complex historical period, Ms. Emerson and Ms. Taveras engaged students in an interactive lesson using primary sources that presented historical context around the suffrage movement.
The students also had an opportunity to learn about the production from Ms. Furman, an award-winning producer whose Broadway credits include “Hamilton,” “West Side Story,” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Following the show, Ms. Furman joined students for a talk back. They asked what inspired her to produce the musical and how she navigated framing an important historical moment. Ms. Furman also shared memorable experiences from her time at Spence, such as singing in the Triple Trio.
In classes following the musical, Grade 10 history students shared their impressions, and were particularly struck by the portrayal of President Wilson. New History Department Chair Ms. Kang said that this perspective offered additional “opportunities for students to have a nuanced discussion of his complicated presidency and his role in the women’s suffrage movement.” Additionally, students had a riveting discussion on the varying paths women took in the suffrage movement, inspired by observations on “Suffs’” portrayal of Ida B. Wells and Black women’s vote.
We are living through another complex and pivotal moment, still advocating for women’s equality. Experiencing “Suffs” in the company of classmates, faculty and staff, and alumna producer Ms. Furman, was a meaningful reminder of Clara Spence’s founding vision for the School. It was imperative to Clara that women find a significant place in the world, and she often brought visionary leaders to inspire students in that quest. Her legacy prevails, as illustrated by alums like Ms. Furman sharing their time and talent with current students. Referring to the importance of pursuing passions and engaging in activities that amplify other women, Ms. Furman told students, “I hope you feel galvanized to do something after watching the show.” After all, it is not for school but for life we learn.
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A K-12 independent school in New York City, The Spence School prepares a diverse community of girls and young women for the demands of academic excellence and responsible citizenship.
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212-289-5940
© 2024 Spence School
