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One Letter from a Tennessee Mother Changed America Forever
Celebrate the power of women’s voices at the 2026 Febb Burn Banquet, East Tennessee’s premier women’s celebration and fundraising event, set for Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Bridgewater Place
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (June 2, 2026) – The Women's Suffrage Museum - Events & Cultural Center and the Suffrage Coalition are proud to announce that award-winning WBIR-TV anchor Robin Wilhoit will serve as master of ceremonies for the 2026 Febb Burn Banquet, taking place Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Bridgewater Place in Knoxville.
Held annually on or near the anniversary of Tennessee’s historic ratification of the 19th Amendment, the Febb Burn Banquet serves as East Tennessee’s signature women’s celebration and fundraising event supporting the future Women's Suffrage Museum - Events & Cultural Center. The evening honors the legacy of the suffragists whose work secured women’s right to vote and celebrates the continued importance of civic engagement and leadership.
The event will feature keynote speaker Rachel Sussman, Tony Award-winning producer of the Broadway musical Suffs, which has introduced a new generation of audiences to the story of the American suffrage movement and the women whose voices changed the course of history.
“We are delighted to have Robin Wilhoit lead our program this year,” said Wanda Sobieski, president of the Suffrage Coalition. “As a respected journalist and trusted voice in Tennessee, Robin embodies the spirit of community leadership and public service that our museum seeks to celebrate and inspire.”
Wilhoit said the event’s connection to East Tennessee history makes the evening especially meaningful.
“A single letter from a local Tennessee mother helped change American history forever,” said Wilhoit. “I’m honored to help lead an evening celebrating the power of women’s voices, storytelling, and civic leadership right here in East Tennessee.”
According to Sobieski, in addition to keynote remarks from Sussman, the evening will feature a thoughtfully curated entertainment experience, including an immersive musical tapestry ranging from the elegance of a harpist to powerful, soul-stirring vocal performances celebrating women’s voices, resilience, and shared heritage. Guests are encouraged to participate in the event’s optional “Sea of White” attire theme, inspired by the white clothing worn by suffragists during marches and public demonstrations as symbols of unity, visibility, and purpose.
Proceeds from the event will support the continued development of what will become the Women's Suffrage Museum – Events & Cultural Center, an immersive cultural destination dedicated to preserving the history of the women’s suffrage movement while serving as a modern gathering place for civic dialogue, education, exhibitions, research, and community programming.
The museum will feature historic artifacts, interactive exhibits, educational resources, event spaces, and storytelling experiences designed to connect audiences with the women whose advocacy transformed American democracy.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and additional event information are available at: Febb Burn Banquet 2026 - Women's Suffrage Museum - Events & Cultural Center.
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About the Women’s Suffrage Museum – Events & Cultural Center:
Envisioned as a 20,000+-square-foot cultural landmark encompassing 706 and 708 South Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, Tenn., the Women’s Suffrage Museum – Events & Cultural Center will become the largest institution in the United States devoted exclusively to women’s suffrage history and connecting it to contemporary women’s issues. The museum will feature immersive galleries, educational programming, public gathering spaces, and more than 1,000 historic artifacts from Wanda Sobieski’s renowned collection, many of which will be displayed publicly for the first time. The project is currently advancing through planning and design development under the leadership of museum executive producer Mary Kellogg-Joslyn in collaboration with internationally recognized master designer Robert “Bob” Fleming, whose previous work includes the development and design of Titanic Museum Attractions. Together, the team is shaping an experience intended to honor the legacy of the suffrage women while creating a dynamic educational and cultural destination for future generations. It is slated to open in 2028. For more information or to support the museum’s development, donations are accepted; visit womenssuffragemuseum.org.
About the Suffrage Coalition:
The Suffrage Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to locating, preserving, and celebrating the history of the women’s suffrage movement. The organization has collected more than 1,000 historic artifacts, led the state of Tennessee in the creation of statewide suffrage monuments, and now advances its vision to create the Women’s Suffrage Museum – Events & Cultural Center in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, visit suffragecoalition.org.