Why Blanche?
The history of the Ames Family is inextricably linked with the Town of Easton. For many, Blanche may be an unfamiliar character from Easton's history, however recognition and acknowledgement of her accomplishments are long overdue.

In her life, Blanche was determined to make positive change and leave the world a better place. She also demonstrated that girls can excel as mathematicians, engineers, artists, innovators, and discoverers!

I cannot think of a greater way to embrace this new era of publicly recognizing female achievement than to name our new Early Elementary School in recognition of one of our town’s inspiring historic leaders, Blanche A. Ames. 

Blanche fought for the rights of women, now it's our turn to fight for Blanche!

Who was Blanche?
Blanche A. Ames (1878 - 1969) was an Easton woman, artist, political activist, inventor, writer, prominent supporter of women's suffrage, and college graduate, who also held four patents.

Blanche was the mastermind behind the design of the Borderland estate. Blanche graduated as the president of her class at Smith College. She was an artist and a political cartoonist. She was an inventor, creating the Ames Color System, a hexagonal lumber cutter, a method of entrapping enemy aircraft, and a female diaphragm made from baby teething rings.

Her Lifelong Passion - Women's Rights!
Blanche was an avid female suffragist who advocated tirelessly for the women's right to vote. She served in a leading capacity for both the Easton Woman Suffrage League as well as the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage League. She was also a strong leader for the American Birth Control Movement, helping find and lead the Birth Control League of Massachusetts.

In this role Ames helped to form The Doctors Bill to Clarify the Law, which regulated the ability of doctors to provide birth control counseling to married women with health problems, and later helped establish universal access to birth control. Massachusetts did not legalize contraception for married women until 1966, the last state in the nation to do so, and Ames set the standard for perseverance in the decades-long effort.

How Can YOU help?!
Come learn more and support this initiative at NEXT THURSDAY'S Easton School Committee Meeting! 

MEETING INFORMATION: 
DATE: Thursday, February 13
TIME: 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Oliver Ames High School, Simmons Lecture Hall