June Sicknick, “Future President,” with her mother, Edna Keller Sicknick

The fight for women’s suffrage engaged women from all walks of life. Sarah Evans Selover, a local physician, was one of the leaders of South River’s Equal Suffrage League. While many affluent women were often involved in suffrage groups, working class mothers like the one in this photograph also joined the campaign. South River’s women voted in school elections as early as 1913. Seven of the 167 ballots cast that year came from female voters who, according to the newspaper, cast their ballots "without fear or trembling," which the newspaper noted was in contrast to stereotypes about female timidity. Six years later, women cast more than half of the school election ballots. In September 1915, the local suffrage group formed. Such was their success that a month later, when New Jersey put the issue of suffrage to a state vote by the people, the suffrage amendment was rejected by a margin of one vote in South River. The rejected amendment represented a major turn for a place that was expected to follow the majority of the state. After the 19^th Amendment became federal law in August 1920, South River women were quick to take advantage. 265 South River women voted in the primary election in September, and 535 voted in the general election in November.

South River Historical and Preservation Society, Inc.

9/25/1920

Stephanie Bartz

The image features June Sicknick with her mother Edna Keller Sicknick. The carriage with the slogans “Future President” and “Votes for Women” was decorated for the baby parade held on September 25, 1920, as part of the celebration for South River’s 200th anniversary. June was born on November 19, 1919. While she didn't make it to president, she did go on to graduate from the New Jersey College for Women and become a technical librarian.