On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed. The Suffragettes worked very hard to get us our right to vote. Now, we will be able to vote for the first female president in November.
The full text of the Amendment reads:
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
“Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
96 years ago women got the right to vote & now there's a female presidential candidate. #19thamendment #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/gzx7d8K6cR
— Amy Steele ??♀️? (@msamysteele) August 18, 2016
96 years ago, the 19th Amendment was ratified. In 2016, women are over 50% of voters. We will decide this election. pic.twitter.com/XpZ9elE2FN
— EMILY's List (@emilyslist) August 18, 2016
Interesting Facts About The Amendment
1. The Amendment Doesn’t Specifically Say “Woman” Or “Women.”
It just says the right can’t be denied based on sex.
2. Wyoming Was The First Territory To Allow Women To Vote.
In 1869, Wyoming became the first territorial government to allow women to vote.
3. It Took A Long Time For The Amendment To Get Anywhere.
The first bill to give women the right to vote was introduced in 1868, but it didn’t get anywhere. California Senator Aaron A. Sargent attempted to bring it up in 1878, but it didn’t go well either. However, he brought the bill up again every year for the next 41 years. The bill was approved in 1919, and it was ratified in 1920.
4. There Were Many Anti-Suffrage Groups.
There were some women who opposed the amendment because they thought it would hurt their social statuses. They even published a pamphlet, “Ten Reasons Why The Great Majority of Women Do Not Want the Ballot,” that included:
“Because in political activities there is constant strife, turmoil, contention and bitterness, producing conditions from which every normal woman naturally shrinks.”
5. Several States Waited Longer To Ratify The Amendment.
Some states waited many years to ratify the amendment. Unfortunately, my state, Alabama, ratified it in 1953. Mississippi didn’t ratify it until 1984.
Here is an awesome segment from Schoolhouse Rock about the 19th Amendment:
Featured image via YouTube screenshot.
