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By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – The Celebration included a breakfast that was held at the Barge Restaurant. In attendance were businesswomen, personnel from City Hall, various City Departments, Representatives from the Housing Authority, Women Clergy, Educators, Artists and in the Political Field, and from all walks of life. 

During the event, Mayor Diaz held up a large Perth Amboy Evening News Article from August 1920 with the headline: “Will City Have a Lady Mayor?: Prominent Suffragists Discuss Possibilities Under Equal Suffrage: Better City.” 

As Mayor Diaz looked at the gathering of women in attendance, she recognized some who were in the audience and remarked about the strong intelligent and beautiful women they were, and how they have made the community a better place. She stated, “We need to listen to women at the forefront.”

Diaz spoke about the history of Perth Amboy and how the City was in the forefront of Women’s Rights. Perth Amboy was once the location of Eagleswood, a school that welcomed men and women of all countries and nationalities and how they learned together without being segregated. She mentioned Feminist Rebecca Spring and the Grimke Sisters.

Diaz stated that she also values men, mentioning, “JohnLuke,” pointing to the young cameraman, who was filming the event. “I want to see other women at the table, especially in government. We work hard to be where we are at. I said I was going to give women who have the credentials an opportunity. I’ve always acted to empower women.” 

She then introduced the Guest Speaker, Patricia Campos-Medina, who is President of Latinas United for Political Empowerment Political Action Committee (LUPE PAC). Diaz stated that Campos-Medina is a powerful spokeswoman for women’s rights.

Medina spoke about how much history there was in Perth Amboy, and how that history was also important in the Country. She also jokingly said that her husband said she has been to Perth Amboy so much that, “Maybe we should buy a house here.” She continued, “I have been friends with the Mayor since she first ran for office. At the time, the Mayor of Perth Amboy, Joe Vas asked me and the group that I was with for our support, but he didn’t have much to offer. Supporting Wilda Diaz was our best decision. We are now at a crossroads in our Country. I thought we were moving forward. Should we celebrate today? I want to hear from you.” She pointed to the women in the audience. “What does it (Women’s Suffrage) mean to you?” 

Some of the responses were: “Power” and “Freedom to speak your mind”. One woman was frustrated saying, “To hear your voice, but every vote doesn’t count,” referring to the 2016 Presidential Election and her displeasure of the Electoral College. “We are going backwards.”

Another woman said, “We have a right to put our issues in the light.” Other women stated, “It’s being a part of the process. When we don’t get what we want, it makes us fight harder.” Other responses were: “Its fighting for others and being an example to them”, and “Advocating for our communities and leveling the playing field”, “Paying it forward for future generations”, “Voting means justice”, “Bringing honor and integrity that we lack”, “It means choice and equal pay”, “Allowing immigrants to come”, and “It’s a right to choose (County, State, and Town).”

Campos-Medina then began to speak again, “We have a right to vote.” She then mentioned two important women who led the Suffrage Movement: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott who had the first Formal Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls on July 19^th & 20^th, 1848. The two ladies were there to create a pro-right for women to vote. 500 people attended which included some men. They had four goals: 1) To make women equal to men; 2) Women should be able to own property; 3) Equal pay for women; 4) To make choices to become mothers. 

“There’s a need to have reproductive healthcare.” Medina then went on to explain the atmosphere of the 1960’s and 1970’s regarding women’s issues, especially in the minority community. “In that era (‘60’s & ‘70’s) Latinas had the highest percentage of teen pregnancies and in the Black Community, it was reduced.” 

She then went on to explain a personal experience she had when she had to go to a different doctor because her insurance was changed, and her current doctor didn’t take the new insurance. “When I went to see the new doctor, and he asked about my medical history, I told him I had a miscarriage. He replied to me, “You had an abortion.” I told him, “No, I had a miscarriage.” More doctors are doing this to women. I don’t want doctors to put their judgement on me.” She then talked about an experience her married niece had in San Salvador, in her country (El Salvador). My niece had a miscarriage. When she went to the hospital, she almost died because the police had to be called in and they are the ones who determine if it is an actual miscarriage or an abortion. If the police determine it was an abortion, they arrest you. Don’t let Republicans trick you. We celebrate how we want to live our life. You have to have courage, like Mrs. Stanton had in 1848. We have a President who objectifies women. We need to find our courage again – to fight again! We have to fight for women who don’t get equal pay in the workforce. There are 500 children missing in the U.S. right now that belong to immigrant women. They’re saying you have no right because you chose to cross the border. We are going backwards. They want us to think they are criminals. They are human beings. Democrats are staying quiet. Women are still suffering from domestic violence because of the stigma. We still need a right to vote for others. In the State of Georgia, Virginia, and Delaware, the voting rolls are being cleansed.” She then mentioned there are three women present at the breakfast that are running for office in Perth Amboy. “More women are running for office after Hillary Clinton lost. I try to help Latina women run for office. If they don’t get elected the first time, they may get elected the second or third time. I don’t like how my country (United States) is being run now. I have to fight for the America my parents came to.”

Mayor Diaz came up to make closing remarks, “The women in her group (LUPE PAC) have different opinions but come together. If the men were here, they would say, “Wow, we better listen to these women!”