The first major suffragist march on Washington took place 112 years ago this month. It was quite the spectacle. The Grand Marshall led the procession on horseback, carrying a model of the Liberty Bell; she was immediately followed by the famous feminist Inez Milholland, on a white steed, with a banner that declared “Forward Into Light”—which didn’t just reference the fight for the vote, but also the larger demand for women to be fully integrated into American society, equal in all things. A quarter of a million people watched from the sidelines. “Miles of Fluttering Femininity Present Entrancing Suffrage Appeal,” read the headline in The Washington Post.
This was over a century ago. How furious these fierce women would be if they could have looked into the future and seen the dangers assaulting us today! Now, the whole of March is designated Women’s History Month, which frankly has always annoyed us a little, because shouldn’t every month be Women’s History Month? (Are the other 11 Men’s History Month?)
Bur of course, we still face an incredibly steep uphill climb, especially in the current abysmal climate. So, this month—yes, we know this is a jewelry column, bear with us!—we are celebrating female jewelers, especially those whose businesses may be small, but whose individual signatures loom large.
So let’s raise a glass to these valiant ladies—to Marie Lichtenberg’s quirky barrel lockets, to Judy Geib’s chandeliers; to Ileana Makri’s evil eyes. Here’s to Daniela Villegas’s funny fish; and Christina Alexiou’s snarling snake! Hooray for Brent Neale’s groovy tryptichs and Jenna Blakes’s green quartz sailor knots. And yay for Pascale Monvoisin’s emerald ear bobs; and Bea Bongiasca’s jaunty polka dots; and Foundrae’s adorable clinking, clanging charms. (And congratulations to Beth Hutchens, founder of Foundrae, for winning the prize for Jewelry Design at the Gem Awards this year.)
With their commitment to craft and creativity, these women exemplify daring and genius. Forward into Light indeed, but let’s get there wearing fabulous jewelry.
