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Carrying the Torch: Songs and Tales of Remarkable Women coming to New Paltz Oct. 21

Andrew Bruso

SUNY New Paltz will host a one-time-only music performance honoring influential elder women residents of the Hudson Valley, Oct. 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Studley Theatre.

“Carrying the Torch” will feature performances of songs and monologues that reflect and pay tribute to the centennial anniversary of the passage of women’s suffrage in New York State in 1917. It celebrates the lives of eight women who have made meaningful contributions to their communities in areas of inclusion and equality. They include:

  • Ruth Faircloth, a Minister to migrant farmworkers and co-founder of the youth organization UNITY and the Daughters of Sarah, an ecumenical women’s leadership development and support organization;
  • Justice Karen Peters, who became the first woman to be Presiding Justice of the Third Department when appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 5, 2012;
  • Manna Jo Greene, a longtime civil rights and environmental activist, who is currently serving as an Ulster County Legislator representing District 19 and is the Environmental Director for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater;
  • Connie Hogarth, a lifetime peace, justice and environmental activist;
  • Darlene Pfeiffer, an entrepreneur and founder of the Entrepreneurial Studies program at SUNY Ulster;
  • Barbara Sarah, founder of the Oncology Support Group for Breast and Ovarian Cancer patients at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston;
  • Janet Mills, a role model in her community as a nurturing woman who has stepped up consistently to help those in need.
  • Joanne Steele, a long time women’s rights activist and founder of the publication The Majority Report.

“We have come such a long way since the Suffrage Law was passed 100 years ago, but the question is whether women will continue to rise in their influence and become truly equal to men,” said Colette Ruoff, founding director of SageArts. “By highlighting the journey of these women artistically, we hope to inspire young women to actively work to create the world they want to live in.”

This unique event is the product of a collaboration between the Department of Music and SageArts, a regional organization that promotes social inclusion and dignity for elders through the arts. Additional support has been provided by Arts Mid-Hudson, the Klock Foundation, the Maya Gold Foundation and Stewart’s Shops.

Tickets are $20 for the general public, $15 for senior citizens, and $5 for high school and college students.

To learn more, visit SageArts or the Department of Music online.