Philadelphia has equal part big city attitude and small town charm, and never fails to win over visitors with its rich history and culture.
The Independence National Historical Park of the Old City still celebrates and preserves its earliest days as a settlement, proving that roots and identity are values the people hold dear. Now, to honour 100 years since the ratification of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution that recognised women’s suffrage, Philadelphia has decided to change its nickname from “The City of Brotherly Love” to “The City of Sisterly Love” for one year.
Philadelphia was founded and named in 1862 by William Penn to serve as the capital of the Pennsylvania Colony, with the now famous “City of Brotherly Love” moniker coming from the literal Greek translation of philos (beloved or dear) and adelphos (brother or brotherly). The 19th amendment was ratified much later on 18 August 1920, granting women the constitutional right to vote in democratic elections.
Announced recently by Councilmember At-Large of the Philadelphia City Council Katherine Gilmore Richardson and co-sponsored by the entire women’s caucus, the change will put a spin on the slogan and will be in place for the rest of 2020. While celebrating the place of women in history and the positive steps that have been taken towards equality, according to a resolution published by the council, the move has been designed to also acknowledge shortcomings related to minorities.
“The rights established by the 19th Amendment did not initially extend to women of African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American heritage due to widespread sexism, enduring inequality, and racism. It wasn’t until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, passed on 6 August, 1965, that black women and other women of color were actually allowed to exercise their right to vote,” the resolution says.
By changing the nickname, the City of Philadelphia hopes to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage while also marking the fact that is has only been 55 years since women of colour have been able to exercise their right to vote.
According to 3 CBS Philly, Visit Philadelphia will work on a new campaign aimed at positivity, encouraging women groups from all over the work to come and see the city.
