WHCC To Hold Annual Saxon The Suffrage Cat Contest

A clipping from The Sunday Oregonian newspaper from July 9, 1916 showing suffragists Alice Burke and Nell Richardson with Saxon the Cat.

The Mesquite Women’s History and Culture Center (WHCC) is holding its annual Saxon the Suffrage Cat Contest this summer. The contest started on Monday, June 13 and the center will continue to accept entries until Friday, July 29.

“This contest offers a creative and educational summer activity for youth and adults,” said WHCC President Jean Watkins. “It is an opportunity to express artistic talents and learn more about the women’s suffrage movement.”

The WHCC is providing paper cutouts of Saxon the Suffrage Cat to interested entrants. These can be decorated in whatever way the artistic fancy might dictate. The final artwork can then be submitted back to the WHCC to be considered for a variety of prizes. Prizes are awarded in age divisions. A “Best of Show” award will also be announced.

Saxon cutouts are currently available for pick up at the WHCC. The Center is not operating under its regular hours this summer. But those interested can simply contact Jean Watkins by phone at 702-345-4088, or by email at mesquitejean@gmail.com to arrange a time to pick up their cats.

“I am here all summer long and I am more than happy to come down, open the center and hand out cats to people who want to join the contest,” Watkins said.

All entries must be submitted by Friday, July 29. Winners will be announced on Monday, Aug. 8, which is also International Cat Day.

Saxon the Suffrage Cat was adopted as a kitten by historic Women’s Suffragists Nell Richardson and Alice Burke. He rode along with them on a 10,000-mile cross-country automobile trip in 1916 to promote the Women’s Right to Vote. Saxon became a symbol of the women’s suffrage movement.
Saxon was named after the Saxon motorcar the women drove on this historic trip, which took place from April 6 – Sept. 30 in 1916. The journey took the ladies over dirt, or at best graded roads paved with gravel.

This unusual journey caught the attention of people all across the country. The story followed Saxon’s growth as the women traveled from town to town.

To learn more about the WHCC visit https://whccmesquitenv.org.