I’m proud to live in the United States of America. It’s my great pleasure to celebrate a special anniversary this week. The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution is 100 years old! This hard won amendment granted women the right to vote.
After being introduced to Congress in 1878, the suffrage proposal was rejected in 1887. Suffragists toiled, sacrificed, picketed, were arrested, abused, and even had hunger strikes to bring attention to their righteous cause.
Several more attempts were made to pass the proposal through Congress, but it wasn’t until May 21, 1919 that the House of Representatives passed it. The Senate passed it on June 4, 1919.
Once Congress passed the amendment, it had to be ratified by at least 36 states. Thanks to Tennessee, the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920, the right for women to vote was adopted.
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was certified as a Constitutional Amendment and life changing opportunity for women across the country.
Have you ever read the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution? It’s short, but mighty. The following words changed the course of American women’s lives and assured us a voice. I am humbled by the sacrifices suffered by my fore-mothers to make these words a reality.
AMENDMENT XIX – Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.
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.
I’ve heard several people say that their votes don’t matter and they’re not going to bother going to the polls. They’re disgusted with government, politics, and the state of things. It’s too bad their voices won’t be heard.
It is my Constitutional right to vote, and nothing short of catastrophe will keep me to exercising that right. My voice will be heard.
Now, I’d like share a poem written in support of Women’s Suffrage.
The Women’s Litany By Margaret Widdemer
Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for our pain’s sake! Lips set smiling and face made fair Still for you through the pain we bare, We have hid till our hearts were sore Blacker things than you ever bore: Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for our pain’s sake!
Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for our strength’s sake! Light held high in a strife ne’er through We have fought for our sons and you, We have conquered a million years’ Pain and evil and doubt and tears— Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for our strength’s sake!
Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for your own sake! We have held you within our hand, Marred or made as we broke or planned, We have given you life or killed King or brute as we taught or willed— Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for your own sake!
Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for the world’s sake! We are blind who must guide your eyes, We are weak who must help you rise, All untaught who must teach and mold Souls of men till the world is old— Let us in through the guarded gate, Let us in for the world’s sake! Thank you for reading Ozarks Maven! If you’ve enjoyed my little seeds of wisdom and joy, please subscribe to Ozarks Maven, Like Ozarks Maven on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter @OzarksMaven.
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