Celebrating Women’s History and Voting Rights at the 2025 Febb Burn Banquet and Eleanor Smeal Reception in Knoxville
The Suffrage Coalition is excited to host two landmark events in Knoxville honoring the courage and legacy of Tennessee’s women’s suffrage movement. These events offer the community unique opportunities to gather, celebrate, and support the ongoing work of the Coalition to preserve and promote women’s voting rights history.
Private Reception with Eleanor Smeal
Sunday, August 17, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Ossoli Circle | 2511 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Join us for an inspiring evening with Eleanor Smeal, recipient of the Citizen’s Medal and one of the most influential voices in the modern women’s movement. For decades, Eleanor has worked at the intersection of activism, policy, and media to advance women’s equality and human rights.
As president of the Feminist Majority Foundation and former president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), she has played a central role in many of the major legislative victories for women’s rights. She was instrumental in passing the Equal Credit Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and in strengthening Title IX enforcement.
Eleanor was the first to identify and name the Gender Gap in voting behavior—pioneering research that continues to shape political strategy today. In 1995, she co-founded the Feminist Majority and helped relaunch Ms. Magazine, now published by the foundation.
Under her leadership, Ms. Smeal has become a leading voice for global women’s issues and feminist perspectives in news, politics, and culture.
We are honored to welcome Ellie to Tennessee, where women’s suffrage became a national reality.
Febb Burn Banquet & Fundraiser
Monday, August 18, 2025 (the actual date of the critical vote) from
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
On Broadway Event Center
4683 Old Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37918
Celebrate the historic legacy of Febb and Harry T. Burn, whose decisive vote in 1920 made Tennessee the final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, securing women’s right to vote nationwide.
The evening will include:
- A delicious dinner celebration
- An art show and sale featuring paintings and jewelry
- A silent auction
- Life-size cutouts of Tennessee suffragists by artist Mary Ruden
- A keynote address by Eleanor Smeal
The banquet serves as a vital fundraiser supporting The Suffrage Coalition’s ongoing efforts to preserve and share the history of women’s suffrage in Tennessee through education, public memorials, and community outreach.
Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities
Individual dinner reservations are available for $105, representing $1 for each year since women gained the right to vote. Sponsorship packages range from $250 to $3,000, offering recognition in the evening’s program, seating at the President’s Table, and additional benefits. Reception tickets are limited and available on a first-come,first-served basis.
Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at:
https://suffragecoalition.com
Celebrate with us this August as we honor the past and inspire the future of equality and civic engagement in Knoxville!
The Legacy of Febb and Harry Burn
Few moments in American history carry the drama and consequence of August 18, 1920, when 24-year-old Tennessee State Representative Harry T. Burn cast the tie-breaking vote to ratify the 19th Amendment. Pressured by powerful anti-suffrage interests, Burninstead honored a heartfelt letter from his mother, Febb Ensminger Burn, who urged him to “be a good boy” and vote for ratification. His vote secured the amendment’s passage, changing the course of American democracy forever.
The Febb Burn Banquet honors their courage and reminds attendees of the personal stories behind historic change.
About The Suffrage Coalition
The Suffrage Coalition, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to honoring and preserving the legacy of the women’s suffrage movement, especially in Tennessee. Founded by attorney and activist Wanda Sobieski, the organization spearheaded the creation of the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial in Knoxville’s Market Square and has worked tirelessly for over 25 years to collect, preserve, and exhibit original suffrage artifacts.
With the upcoming Suffrage Museum Project, the Coalition aims to create a permanent educational space that will celebrate Tennessee’s historic role in securing women’s voting rights and inspire generations to come to value and advocate for equality.
