Reposting this (originally posted November 5, 2010) to mark International Women’s Day. Let’s toast one of our own and channel her moxie to continue to fight the good fight for women all over this planet. Cheers!
Susan B. Anthony gave the women of this country the right to vote, and all she got in return was a lousy one dollar coin that everyone mistook for a quarter and is no longer minted. If she were a souvenir T-shirt: “I gave women the right to vote and all I got was this lousy quarter.” She’s been replaced by a shiny gold coin that bears Sacagawea and her papoosed infant. Nothing like relegating historic female figures to the bottom of the currency heap, while Andrew Jackson stares back at us from the 20 dollar bill. Andrew Jackson’s beliefs were a far cry from ensuring equality for all, yet he graces that 20 dollar bill that makes us feel rich when it’s stashed in our wallet. Surely we can bestow a greater honor to the woman who suffered as a suffragette. While it’s a great song, I’m pretty David Bowie’s hit Suffragette City was not an homage to Susan B. Anthony.
Corny as it might seem, I say a little prayer of thanks to Susan B. Anthony every time I vote. You see, I love to vote and I never ever take it for granted. I salute all those who fight for social justice and believe fiercely in equality. Susan B. Anthony might not have her mug on a bill, but she does get a 5:00 Fridays post dedicated to her. I mean, I’m not the United States Mint but I am a raving fan.
On this day in 1872, Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting in the presidential election. She was fined $100, which is equivalent to about $2000 today. It would be 28 more years until women won the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony didn’t live to see the day. But on August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment became law. And we, both the X and Y chromosomed, have Susan B. Anthony to thank.
And in case you’re wondering, she never did pay that fine.
Hearty Susan (Thanks to Dalyn A. Miller and Larry Donovan, authors of The Daily Cocktail for this recipe)
1 12/ ounces blended whiskey
1/2 ounce cherry brandy
1 maraschino cherry
Pour the whiskey and brandy into an ice filled shaker. Though Susan B. Anthony liked to shake things up, this drink is stirred. Strain into a martini glass. Plop in a maraschino cherry. Stick out your pinky like a lady, sip, and make a toast to Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott.
Seeing the title of this post, I thought, “Wow! What a pal! Ilinap named a drink after me!” But naming it after SB Anthony makes more sense. And I was named after her (or so I say) so same difference, right?
Have you ever used Pernod? I see it in drink recipes. What does it taste like?
Love this! The drink recipe sounds great too!
Well, my dear, you could inspire a 5:00 Fridays. Maybe something meaty? 😉