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A Legacy to Inspire and Empower

Objectives of the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association:

One : that everyone who grows up in Fulton County New York and the surrounding communities learns about the work of women's rights reformer Elizabeth Cady Stanton. And to understand and promote the fact that during her lifetime, Stanton became a nationally and internationally recognized reformer and pioneer for women's rights. She continues to be so today.

Two : that this organization continues to serve women in a variety of capacities just as she did. We are dedicated to advancing the economic, political and social status of women and girls.

Three : that Johnstown will become known as the birthplace of women's equality in the U.S. Stanton was the first women to call for the right to vote as the seminal rite from which all others flowed. Stanton lived in Seneca Falls for 8 years but her political and social reform ideas were forged in the formative years of her Johnstown NY life.

Why Sunflowers?
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, using the pseudonym “Sunflower,” wrote articles for The Lily, the first newspaper for women. The paper, issued from 1849 until 1853, was edited by Amelia Bloomer, of “Bloomer costume” fame. Initially, Elizabeth wrote about temperance, child-bearing and education. But before long she was writing about
women’s rights and laws unfair to women, demanding change.
The sunflower, the Kansas state flower was also used in Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony's 1867 campaign in Kansas in support of full women's suffrage. After Kansas suffragists used the sunflower in the campaign, yellow, along with white and purple became the symbolic colors of the national women's suffrage movement.
Women campaigning for "Votes for Women" wore yellow ribbons, buttons and sashes.

Photo:
NYS Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul with ECSHA Volunteer Sunflower Shoppe Manager Sandy Fiesinger at the Sunflower Shoppe's Grand Re-opening, January 29, 2018.

The Lieutenant Governor not only cut the ribbon for the Grand Re-opening, but gave inspiring and encouraging words to ECSHA members and guests and donated clothing to the Sunflower Shoppe as well. We thank her so much for coming to Johnstown!

The Sunflower Shoppe,
Where Sisterhood Blossoms
26 West Main Street in Johnstown

5Please visit our new location at 26 West Main Street in Johnstown, NY. The goal of our shop is to help women with their career clothing needs. The shop is open to all and has expanded its hours of operation to include Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30- 4:00 and Saturdays from 10-1. We hope to be open soon on Fridays as well.

We need your volunteer support: We can extend our hours of operation only if we have a sufficient number volunteers. All the work of the Sunflower Shoppe is done by volunteers working in teams of two. Generally a team chooses to work one day during each month, as for example every third Wednesday. We need several teams to be
operational as many of our volunteers travel or are snowbirds.

Elizabeth's and Eileen's Closet is our prom dress rental or purchase service starting in February and continuing through May of each school year. Dresses rent for $30 or can be purchase for $50. Come see the beautifully stylish gowns we have to offer, long and short. We also have formal wear suitable for women for holidays and special events.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association Volunteer Manager Sandy Fiesinger,
Please contact Sandy by calling 518-736- 1255 if you have time, clothing, equipment or other types of donations

Because all clothing is donated, we are able to offer
stylish and high quality clothing at very reasonable prices. And we have a variety of sizes. If you in need for something dressy for a special event, the Sunflower Shoppe can help you with that attire as well.
Now that we have a larger shop space, we are taking donations of jeans which can be worn in some job locations. Please think about donating gently used and stylish jeans as well.
We thank so many of our city and area residents for their "matronage" and support of our efforts to provide his quality career clothing for women at work.