Pictured above: Cattaraugus Community Center 5K
On May 23rd 1964, a referendum vote was held to determine whether Seneca Women would get the right to vote in Seneca Nation elections. That vote passed 169 to 99, ushering in a new era of progress.
To commemorate 60 years of this milestone, celebratory events, commemorative merchandise giveaways, and recognition ceremonies were held at both Territory’s Community Centers. Community members participated in Women’s Right to Vote 5k runs, where a woman from each Territory were honored for their impact on our shared history as Onödowá’ga’:.
Rovena Watt Abrams, a Turtle Clan member of the Seneca Nation grew up in Cold Spring on the Allegany Territory.
Rovena was only the second employee of the Seneca Nation in the 1960s. She was instrumental in three major periods of Seneca Nation history: the Kinzua Dam era, Seneca women gaining the right to vote, and the expiration of Salamanca’s 99-year leases in 1990s. Rovena was also a women’s advocate for the right for Seneca women to vote in Seneca Nation elections. She recalls Martha Flammang and Verniece Pierce visiting her home and asked her join them in their cause to present this matter to council and hold an election. It would take these tenacious women four times to reach their goal. Their persistance led to Seneca women gaining this right and the right to hold office. Her diplomacy and guidance proved instrumental in her Council appointment to the Salamanca Lease Negotiation Committee, where she helped reach a settlement of the 99-year leases with the City of Salamanca.
In 1994 Rovena became Editor of the Seneca Nation Newsletter, and was also a Tribal Councilor serving for six years from 2002-2008. She later served as a Peacemaker Judge for two years from 2008-2010. Throughout her career, she was appointed to several Boards and Committees including the Kinzua Planning Committee, Seneca Nation Lease Negotiation Committee, Seneca Nation Joint Leasing Commission, the Seneca Iroquois National Museum Board of Trustees, and the Seneca Nation of Indians Economic Development Committee. On June 19, 2013, Rovena received the Lifetime Achievement award presented by Seneca Nation Treasurer Rodney Pierce for “her life’s endeavors and for demonstrating a significant and lasting contribution to the community.
Corinne Lay, a Wolf Clan Member of the Seneca Nation, resides on the Cattaraugus Territory. Corinne is 94 years old, making her our eldest woman on the Cattaraugus territory.
She was married to the late & former President, Calvin E. Lay & they had two children, Doug & Eileen.
Corinne went to school to be an LPN & enjoyed being a nurse.
Some advice from Corinne, and I quote, “encourage girls to like the job they pick and do their best”.
Congratulations to these remarkable women and their accomplishments. Nya:wëh to the planning committee for putting together these events, and nya:wëh to the Community for coming out to celebrate Seneca Women’s Right to Vote.
