On November 14, 1917, 32 women who had been arrested for picketing the White House for the right to vote were beaten, chained, and force-fed at the Occoquan Workhouse. Because of their indomitable strength and sacrifice of these Silent Sentinels, the 19th amendment was passed in 1920. This piece was written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the “Night of Terror” and was premiered at the compound where they were imprisoned.

Special thanks to Anne Beal for her beautiful recording of “Bright Morning Stars”, which served as the basis for the pre-recorded electronics in this piece.