Honor Women’s History with a Donation to the Parks Foundation

This Women’s History Month, honor the legacy of the women and allies who have shaped our communities through their advocacy for equity by making a gift to the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. A donation to the Parks Foundation directly supports projects like the Suffragist Grove at Hartwood Acres, a living tribute to the women and allies who fought, and continue to fight, for equal rights. When you donate in honor of someone special, your gift commemorates their legacy while helping preserve the natural spaces where their stories are remembered and shared. A gift in honor of Women’s History Month is more than a donation; it’s a statement of shared values and a lasting acknowledgment of the ongoing pursuit of equity.

The History of Suffragist Grove

In August 2020, a tulip poplar became the first tree planted in what is now Suffragist Grove at Hartwood Acres Park. The grove commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote, and honors the legacy of Mary Flinn Lawrence. The grove is located by the Mansion, near the Great Lawn and the Carol R. Brown Sculpture Garden.  The grove and its location were inspired by Mary Flinn Lawrence’s life and leadership. A resident of the Hartwood mansion, Mary sold the land to the Allegheny County Parks System in 1969. She was an early member of the Allegheny County Equal Franchise Federation (now the League of Women Voters), a delegate to the National Women’s Suffrage Convention and a participant in suffrage parades throughout the region. Learn more about Mary Flinn Lawrence through one of our earlier blog posts, written by Park Ranger, Deaglan McManus.

Beyond her advocacy, Mary Flinn Lawrence was a conservation leader. In 1920, she became the first person from Allegheny County, and only the second woman ever, to serve on the Pennsylvania State Forestry Commission. In 1927, she oversaw the planting of 96,000 pine seedlings at Hartwood Acres to combat soil erosion and restore forest health, earning recognition as Pennsylvania’s second largest individual forest planter that year.

Honor a Champion Today

A gift in honor of a champion of women’s rights will ensure the stories and values behind Suffragist Grove continue to inspire future generations.

Donors may choose to be recognized personally or to commemorate someone special who champions the rights of all people or has made a meaningful impact in their life. Now that the grove is established and permanent signage is being added, donations honoring the suffragist movement will benefit all 12,000 acres of parkland within the Allegheny County Parks, representing the impact of advocates throughout the region. Donations of $250 or more will:

• Receive a personalized certificate
• Be recognized on our website

This Women’s History Month help carry the legacy of Suffragist Grove forward! All gifts will honor the past, recognize the present and support our ongoing work throughout your Allegheny County Parks. Use the Donate button below to make your contribution or contact Caitlin Harpster to learn more!