VOICES OF THE PROGRESSIVE TRADITION IV
 Sunday January 19, 2003 1:00pm
Senate Parlor State Capitol
Tickets 266-1801 weekdays (no charge)
  Information 643-8017

Notables to Read Historic Progressive Texts

Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, former governor Anthony Earl, and state AFL-CIO president David Newby are among a dozen readers who will present selections from historic documents written by leaders of the Progressive Era.

The program Voices of the Progressive Tradition was conceived in 2001 to honor the centennials of the governorship of Robert M. La Follette and the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the two most important progressisve leaders of the era. It was first presented at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo, then at the Hillside Theater at Taliesin in Spring Green and most recently at the Park Hall in Sauk Prairie, the home of the Free Congregation of Sauk City. Now we enter the halls of our state capitol.

Readings are drawn from the writings of Progressive Governors-- "Fighting Bob", James O Davidson, Francis McGovern, John Blaine and Philip La Follete as well as Belle Case La Follette, Roosevelt and Wisconsin women activists Emma Kindschi and Wilhelmina La Budde.

Voices is a performance, a remembrance, a conversation and a celebration. Above all it is an exercise in civic engagement, as we pause to recall and better understand a time of great political achievement that holds many lessons for our own time.

The January 19th version literally resonates with the setting. Our state capitol evokes the strong political leadership that Wisconsin had during the Progressive Era and that it offered to the nation. In all of its performances the "Voices" have been provided by local readers. Part of the goal--and the pleasure--of the project has been to discover how deeplly the Progressive Tradtition reached into Wisconsin communities and how vital these connections remain. The words of the Sauk Prairie farmer's wife resound with the more well known words of governors.

Voices of the Progressive Tradition might be called a work in progress, an on going effort to deepen our understanding and appreciation of a remarkable era in the history of our democracy. Your attendance and participation is most welcome.

Tickets are limited and available at 266-1801.