Hoping To Put A Stamp On History

Rep. Tom Suozzi, third from right, joined local historians and members of the Long Island Woman Suffrage Association on the steps of the historic home of Ida Bunce Sammis in Huntington.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

A Huntington suffragist was one of the first two women elected to the New York State Assembly.

Congressman Thomas Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) joined local historians Monday on the steps of the historic 70 Main Street house in Huntington to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the election of Ida Bunce Sammis to the state assembly on Nov. 5, 1918.

The site was once the home of Sammis, who with New York City resident Mary Lilly was one of the first two women in the New York assembly.

“She served on a ticket of good, clean, honest administration,” Suozzi said.

Ida B. Sammis

Antonia Petrash, founder of the Long Island Woman Suffrage Association, praised Sammis’ election in 1918 as a major achievement. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was not ratified until two years later in 1920, but New York State passed a law in 1917 giving the women the right to vote and hold office.

“It was the culmination of a 72-year struggle,” Petrash said.

Huntington Historical Society Trustee Toby Kissam said Sammis moved to the house at 70 Main Street after she was married, and it was where she held meetings and rallies promoting women’s suffrage.

Speaking at the house on the day before Election Day, Suozzi encouraged residents to remember the struggle of Sammis and others like her who fought hard for the right to vote.

“It’s important that everyone gets out to vote tomorrow, no matter who you’re voting for,” Suozzi said. “Throughout the history of our country, so many people fought long and hard for the right to vote. Let’s not see their efforts, on our behalf, be in vain.”

Suozzi also announced that he had sent a letter to the United States Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee requesting a commemorative stamp to honor the upcoming 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, as well as the election of Sammis and Lilly to the New York State Assembly.