Finger Lakes Region Champions “Brave Women” to Drive Winter Tourism

New York’s Finger Lakes Region launches 2020 tourism campaign to celebrate the Women’s Suffrage Centennial and highlight local equal rights pioneers like Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and the Iroquois Matriarchs. 

Finger Lakes Region, NY—With the 2020 Centennial of Women’s Suffrage as a powerful backdrop, a newly launched Where Brave Women Winter tourism campaign aims to position the Finger Lakes region as so much more than just lakes and natural beauty to be enjoyed in the summertime. It highlights the rich history full of bold, brave women who not only made their homes there, but made history there. Their inspiring stories, special itineraries, and other brave-women-themed content will be featured at www.bravewomenflx.com. This initiative has been spearheaded by a collection of counties and supported by the Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council and I LOVE NEW YORK.

The goal of the campaign, created by Three Needs Creative LLC, is to drive tourism to the area during the less-traveled winter months and to coincide with Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March. As the epicenter of the women’s rights movement 100 years ago, the Finger Lakes region celebrates women both past and present in 2020. This monumental year marks the centennial of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

Campaign activities will kick off over an exciting and inspiring weekend in Auburn and Seneca Falls, beginning with the Feminist Marketplace on Friday, January 17, held at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn. The marketing team will showcase campaign artwork on a branded photo wall where guests can take and share photos with #bravewomenflx. Original Where Brave Women Winter artwork was created by New York–based artist Kirsten Ulve.

The team will also be at the 4th Annual Rally and Women’s March in Seneca Falls on Saturday, January 18. Seneca Falls is widely recognized as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. With more than 10,000 participants expected to attend, a Where Brave Women Winter “street team” will join the crowds to spread the word about the campaign. They hope to inspire women and allies from all over the region and beyond to extend their stay or return to the Finger Lakes soon to experience and celebrate the incredible culture of brave women both past and present.

To explore the rich women’s history and support women-owned and women-themed businesses, visit bravewomenflx.com for itineraries, blogs, and sites from the participating counties as well as many women-owned and -managed breweries, wineries, attractions, and shops that tourists can experience during their stay.

This richly historic area is home to many notable attractions that were integral in the fight for equality, including the following:

·         HARRIET TUBMAN HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK, AUBURN, NY

·         WOMEN’S RIGHTS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, SENECA FALLS, NY

·         GANONDAGAN STATE HISTORIC SITE, VICTOR, NY

·         MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE CENTER, FAYETTEVILLE, NY

·         THE NATIONAL SUSAN B. ANTHONY MUSEUM & HOUSE, ROCHESTER, NY

·         NEW YORK STATE EQUAL RIGHTS HERITAGE CENTER, AUBURN, NY

ABOUT THE FEMINIST MARKETPLACE:
The Feminist Marketplace will be held on Friday, January 17, at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Attendees are invited to explore wares from women-owned businesses and feminist vendors, as well as a full program beginning at 5:30 p.m. featuring a speaker and refreshments. The event will conclude with a concert by singer-songwriter and activist Holly Near, beginning at 8 p.m. at Auburn Public Theater.

About the 4th Annual Rally and Women’s March

On Saturday, January 18, the main event begins at 12:30 p.m. with the 4th Annual Rally and Women’s March starting at Trinity Park in Seneca Falls. More than 10,000 participants are expected to attend the march, a lively and empowering annual event that draws crowds from all over the region and surrounding areas. Kick-off for the march will begin at 12:30 p.m. with remarks from Leader of Ceremonies Coline Jenkins, the great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, alongside musician Holly Near, activist Toni Van Pelt, and iconic activist rock trio BETTY. The march will begin at 1 p.m. and wrap up at 4 p.m. with a concert by BETTY at Academy Square-North Park in Seneca Falls, with Central New York musician Madison Yearsley opening.