Photo by Diane VanDyke/MCCC The Justice Bell Replica arrived at Montgomery County Community College's Pottstown Campus on Aug. 5. The symbolic bell and related programs will help to promote civic engagement and voting. Nicole Maugle, MCCC Director of Libraries (left) coordinated the arrival and display of the bell with Amanda Owen (right), Executive Director of the Justice Bell Foundation.
Bell and related programs to inspire civic engagement
The Justice Bell Replica, a powerful symbol of the fight for women’s voting rights, arrived at Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) Pottstown Campus on Monday morning, Aug. 5. This impressive bell will be on display through August 2025, after which it will move to MCCC’s Blue Bell Campus until August 2027.
The Justice Bell Replica was fashioned after the original Justice Bell, a replica of the Liberty Bell. Members of the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association used the Justice Bell in 1915 as part of a campaign to advocate for women’s right to vote in Pennsylvania. The iconic bell traveled across all 67 counties to raise awareness and support for the suffrage movement.
In 2015, Amanda Owen discovered this significant piece of Pennsylvania history and subsequently founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Justice Bell Foundation. The Foundation commissioned sculptors, Erin Addie and Gary Pergolini in Philadelphia to create the replica of the Justice Bell. Robert Roesch, world-renowned sculptor, former Chair of the Sculpture Department of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), and chair of the Philadelphia Art Commission, oversaw the project. Both Addie and Pergolini are PAFA alumni.
“In 1915, the Justice Bell played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of women’s right to vote,” said Owen. “Today, the Justice Bell and its Replica continue to inspire voter registration and civic engagement.”
MCCC is honored to share the history and message of the Justice Bell Replica.
“The Justice Bell Replica’s presence on our campuses not only honors this important chapter in our history but also serves as a valuable educational tool and will foster a deeper understanding of the importance of voting rights,” said Nicole Maugle, MCCC Director of Libraries, who is facilitating the Bell’s display and events.
The Justice Bell Replica’s three-year residency at MCCC will not only celebrate this vital piece of history but also inspire voters. As part of the residency, the College will host a series of events in collaboration with The Justice Bell Foundation. These events will feature screenings of the documentary, “Finding Justice: The Untold Story of Women's Fight for the Vote,” along with Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and presentations on "Justice Literacy."
The events include the following:
Pottstown Campus:
Sept. 17, 2024: Voter Registration Day – for students and employees
March 31, 2025: Anniversary of the Justice Bell’s Creation – for students and employees
June 24, 2025: Anniversary of PA Ratifying the 19th Amendment – for students, employees and the community
Blue Bell Campus:
Sept. 25, 2025: Anniversary of the Justice Bell’s First Ringing – for students and employees
March 31, 2026: Anniversary of the Justice Bell’s Creation – for students and employees
June 24, 2026: Anniversary of PA Ratifying the 19th Amendment – for students, employees and the community
Sept. 25, 2026: Anniversary of the Justice Bell’s First Ringing – for students and employees
March 31, 2027: Anniversary of the Justice Bell’s Creation – for students and employees
June 24, 2027: Anniversary of PA Ratifying the 19th Amendment – for students, employees and the community
Additionally, MCCC’s Archive will partner with The Justice Bell Foundation to become the official archive documenting the history of The Justice Bell. This partnership will include two new collections: The Justice Bell 1915 Collection and The Justice Bell Foundation 2015 Collection. These archives will be available to students, employees and community members after the Justice Bell Replica departs for future residencies.
The Justice Bell Replica Residency is part of a larger initiative funded by a $95,000 grant from the Jonas C., Marian D., & Robert H. Erb Charitable Fund. This grant will support enhancements to MCCC’s library collections, particularly in areas vital to students who are parents and adult learners and will honor the legacy of the late Robert H. Erb, a dedicated librarian at the Blue Bell Campus for 45 years.
For more information about the Justice Bell Replica and corresponding programs at MCCC, contact Nicole Maugle at nmaugle@mc3.edu.
For more information about the Justice Bell Foundation, the Justice Bell, and the Justice Bell Replica, contact Amanda Owen at amanda@justicebell.org.
Founded in 2016, the Justice Bell Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, inspire and mobilize current and future voters. With programs for schools, a film about the women’s suffrage movement, and a public art Justice Bell replica, the Justice Bell Foundation is committed to highlighting women’s contributions in the struggle for voting rights and inspiring people to register to vote and become engaged citizens by supporting our democratic ideals.
The Justice Bell, a replica of the Liberty Bell, was a famous 20th century 2,000-pound bronze bell that was used to advocate for voting rights for women in Pennsylvania. Today, the JBF shares the dramatic story of the Justice Bell to emphasize its importance in American history, highlight women’s contributions to the struggle for voting rights, and inspire all people to become engaged citizens and to vote.
For 60 years, Montgomery County Community College has been transforming lives and communities to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online.
As an Achieving the Dream Leah Meyer Austin Alumni Award recipient, the institution is positioned at the vanguard of national efforts to remove barriers to access, improve learning outcomes, and increase completion for all students. The College also is recognized regionally and nationally for its sustainability leadership, work with military veterans, community service and service-learning opportunities, and use of classroom technology. For eight years, MCCC has been named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for its commitment to diversity through inclusive learning and work environments, student and staff recruitment and retention practices, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.mc3.edu.
