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Suffrage in Black and White

event graphic of Light Under the Dome, featuring a rendering of a women speaking in front of a crowd.
"A Light Under the Dome," written by Patrick Gabridge and directed by Courtney O'Connor.

The National Parks of Boston and Plays in Place are excited to announce the production of the first play in the Suffrage in Black and White series

A Light Under the Dome

August 12 - 15, 2024
Senate Chamber of the Massachusetts State House

Performances at 3pm and 6:30pm
Tickets are Free

At the Massachusetts State House, on February 21, 1838, exiled Southerner Angelina Grimké becomes the first American woman to address a legislative body. Her powerful speech about abolition also firmly asserts the full citizenship of American women. Four other women abolitionists–Maria Weston Chapman, Lydia Maria Child, Susan Paul, and Julia Williams–are all there to support and guide her through this pressure-packed moment, and they have their own moments of intense struggle to share. To be staged in the Massachusetts State Senate Chamber, under the dome where Angelina gave her original speech.

Several performances will have ASL interpretation. Stay tuned for more information.


Meet the Women

  • woman in a bonnet and wearing a reserved 1800s dress.
    Angelina Grimké Weld

    Angelina Grimké's work as a lifelong activist, abolitionist, and women’s rights advocate defied gender standards of her time.

  • side profile of a woman wearing a dark dress with white collar and printed shawl.
    Maria Weston Chapman

    A devoted abolitionist, Maria Weston Chapman participated in several anti-slavery organizations and contributed to 'The Liberator.'

  • Title page of book.
    Susan Paul

    Through her actions and teachings, educator Susan Paul instilled in her students a commitment to social justice, action, and change.

  • painting of a black woman wearing read and white-striped bloused.
    Julia Williams Garnet

    An anti-slavery activist and educator, Julia Williams Garnet worked alongside other women in the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society.

  • woman in a dress sitting on a balcony reading a book
    Lydia Maria Child

    Employing the skill of her pen, Lydia Maria Child advocated for the rights of others as a writer and editor.

Historical Context

About Suffrage in Black and White

Suffrage in Black and White is a series of three plays centered in historic spaces that explore the intersection of race and citizenship throughout the abolition and suffrage movements in Boston. This project has been a multi-year collaboration between National Parks of Boston and Massachusetts-based theatre company Plays in Place. Through an iterative process, NPS public historians and local artists shared their skills and expertise to activate historical spaces through creative storytelling, bringing to life the stories of Boston and Boston women.

These plays will feature three pivotal moments: Angelina Grimké's 1838 speech at the Massachusetts State Senate Chamber (A Light Under the Dome), the 1895 First National Conference of Colored Women held in Boston (A New Era), and the 1915 suffrage victory rally held in Faneuil Hall directly following the failed suffrage referendum of that year (Nothing But Victory!). Learn more about the plays and playwrights.

This series explores how Boston women challenged and expanded revolutionary-era understandings of voice and citizenship during the abolition and women’s suffrage movements. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of this country, we invite the public to follow in the footsteps of these women and respond to questions first posed during the revolutionary era: How are our voices heard? What does it mean to be a citizen in a democratic republic? What are our responsibilities as citizens to create a more just and equitable future?

Park & Contractor Information

Tags

Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site

Last updated: July 17, 2024