Jeannette Rankin: Champion of Persistence Play at Tornstrom Auditorium

Lakes Area Move to Amend (LAMTA) is hosting Jeannette Rankin: Champion of Persistence in the Tornstrom Auditorium on Saturday, March 30. Jeannette Rankin: Champion of Persistence is a one hour, one actress play about Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress. Actress J. Emily Peabody wrote the play and portrays Representative Rankin. The play begins at 7 p.m. Tornstrom Auditorium is located at 804 Oak Street, Brainerd (inside the former Washington Middle School).

Suggested donations for play tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children 12 and younger.

A reception will be held in the hallway outside Tornstrom Auditorium at 6 p.m. The reception will feature literature tables hosted by LAMTA, Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace (BACP), and Brainerd Lakers United for the Environment (BLUE). BACP, BLUE, and the Brainerd chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) endorsed Jeannette Rankin: Champion of Persistence. Snacks and beverages provided at the reception.
After the play ends, there will be a question and answer session with J. Emily Peabody.

Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to Congress. She served two non-consecutive terms (1917-19 and 1941-43). A progressive Republican, she supported women’s rights, peace, labor unions, immigrants’ rights. and environmental protection. Rankin championed peace throughout her life. She voted against the Congressional declarations of war on Germany in 1917 and Japan in 1941. She was the only member of Congress to vote against the declaration of war on Japan.

After leaving Congress, Rankin remained politically active. She led a march against the Vietnam War to the U.S. Capitol building steps in January 1968. Rankin died at age 92 in 1973. Jeannette Rankin: Champion of Persistence is a tribute to her tenacious advocacy of her principles.
For more information about the event, please visit the LAMTA website at http://MovetoAmend.org/mn-brainerd