During the past week, there have been many articles and letters written about Elizabeth Gurley Flynn’s extraordinary life. Like many, I had never heard of this woman before the historical marker was erected but I have since learned a great deal about her unflinching determination fighting for economic equality and workers’ and women’s rights including the right to vote and secure birth control. According to the New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker Program Policy adopted in 1/20/2023 and revised in 5/12/2023, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn easily met all the criteria required for the erection of a historical marker.
However, this marker did not meet any of the conditions for removal. And yet, Executive Councilor Joseph Kenney and our governor can’t seem to get beyond the word “communist” as though that was the total sum of Flynn’s life. I urge them to carefully read the above policy in order to understand that the purpose of these markers is “to educate the public about New Hampshire’s history, not to honor, memorialize, or commemorate persons.” So, in that sense, the marker did educate me and a growing number of other people who are learning about this remarkable woman. It appears that the “Rebel Girl” has become more influential and powerful after the marker was removed than when it stood on the corner of a side street in Concord. It’s time to resurrect this wrong and replace the historical marker for those who wish to learn a bit more about our state’s history.
Sara McNeil
Warner