What “Suffs the Musical” Taught Me as a Belarusian

by Liza Tsiushkevich

As a woman who grew up in Belarus, a country where democracy is fragile and political participation is a constant struggle, seeing Suffs the Musical on Broadway was a truly transformative experience. As part of my internship at She Should Run, my colleagues and I visited this incredible production that tells the story of women who fought for the right to vote in the United States. Despite the unique and specifically American setting, which I found at times hard to follow, the themes of perseverance, advocacy, and leadership felt deeply personal. Here are a few lessons I learned from Suffs as a Belarusian woman who is passionate about empowering others to lead. 

1. Women’s leadership is universal

Suffs celebrates women who made fearless strides to upend social conventions and fight for equality. Watching this story unfold on stage, I thought about women leaders in my home country. During the 2020 protests in Belarus, women like Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition against the ruling authoritarian regime, took the lead, calling for justice and democracy. Their courage echoed the suffragettes portrayed in Suffs: bold, determined and dedicated to their vision for a better future. 

For women around the world, being in leadership also brings its own unique challenges. Whether in early 20th century America or modern day Belarus, the determination to make a difference is the same.

2. The arts inspire activism

Suffs’ music, dialogue, and choreography didn’t just entertain me–they moved me. As I watched, I imagined how stories of activism and resistance in Belarus could be told in a similar way. Art can transcend barriers and help people find understanding in complex topics. From a Broadway musical or a local theater production of a play, storytelling is a powerful tool for change.

3. Progress is a journey, not a destination

One of the most emotional moments in Suffs was its reflection on the fact that the work of the suffragettes was not finished after the passage of the 19th Amendment. It’s a lesson that resonates deeply with me as a citizen of a country where democratic rights are suppressed.

The fight for equality and representation does not end with one victory. Rather, it is an ongoing process that requires perseverance, collaboration, and hope. As an intern at She Should Run, I witness this every day in the organization’s work to encourage more women to run for office. Change takes time, but it is always worth fighting for.

4. Leadership is about lifting others up

In Suffs, women fought not only for themselves, but also for future generations. Such selflessness is at the heart of true leadership. It’s also something I’ve noticed in my work with She Should Run, where the focus is always on creating opportunities for others to step into leadership roles.

For me, this lesson is very personal. As a young woman from Belarus studying in the US, I’ve been fortunate to learn from mentors and leaders who have encouraged me to expand my vision of my own potential. Watching Suffs reminded me that leadership isn’t about power; it’s about impact.

A Final Reflection

Suffs isn’t just a musical–it’s a call to action. For me, it was also a moment to reflect on my own journey and the role I want to play in creating change.

As a Belarusian woman interning for She Should Run, I’m more determined than ever to keep working for women’s leadership, whether it is in the US, Belarus, or anywhere else in the world. The stories of the suffragists–and the lessons I’ve learned from Suffs–will stay with me as I continue to grow my work to help more women rise to their power and lead with purpose.

Curious about the role you play in the movement for women’s representation? Find out with our Role Call quiz!