Beginning in the 1800s, women organized, petitioned, and picketed to win the right to vote, but it took them decades to accomplish their purpose. Between 1878, when the amendment was first introduced in Congress, and August 18, 1920, when it was ratified, champions of voting rights for women worked tirelessly, but strategies for achieving their goal varied. Some pursued a strategy of passing suffrage acts in each state—nine western states adopted woman suffrage legislation by 1912. Others challenged male-only voting laws in the courts. Militant suffragists used tactics such as parades, silent vigils, and hunger strikes. Often supporters met fierce resistance. Opponents heckled, jailed, and sometimes physically abused petitioners. A hundred years ago in 1920, women gained the right to vote in America.
On May 21, 1919, the House of Representatives passed the amendment, and 2 weeks later, the Senate followed. When Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920, the amendment passed its final hurdle of obtaining the agreement of three-fourths of the states. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1920, changing the face of the American electorate forever.
As we celebrate the year 2020 and the 100th year for women, let's be mindful that with six women in the Presidential race, none emerged as the party nominee. With Black women as the party's backbone, will one be selected as a running mate to the nominee? Only time will tell. So, tonight we celebrate International Women's Day, National Women's Month, and the 100th year anniversary commemorating the year women gained the right to vote. Joining us is Barbara Arwine,
