Hennepin History Museum puts on play for Susan B. Anthony's 200th birthday

Saturday was an important day in American history: Susan B. Anthony was born 200 years ago, on Feb. 15, 1820. 

To celebrate, local historians and those just interested in her history put on a play.

Madeline Hansen, Hennepin History Museum’s suffrage artist in residence, wrote "The Cabinet Meeting," and she said it was created to have anyone (no matter the skill of acting) to participate.

"The Cabinet Meeting" takes place in a world where Anthony was elected president. Hansen portrayed Anthony, while her cabinet was played by the public and portrayed other prominent women in U.S. history.

Hansen told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS before the play that one of the most important things we can do is talk about and remember our past, no matter how negative or positive.

“It's one thing to tell a little girl you can be anything you want to be. It's another thing to be able to point to women in history and show that little girl and little boy what women too can — what they've already accomplished. It's essential,” Hansen said. 

2020 also marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Just steps away from the performance, inside the Hennepin History Museum, was the "Votes for Women" exhibit. It highlights the work done for a woman’s right to vote. That will be on display through July 5.