The 19th Amendment - 86 Years old today

[BOSSHOG]

26 August 1920, the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was put into effect.

A sad day indeed for "conservatives."

[MaineDem]

1. From the DNC's Womens' Vote Center:

Eighty-six years later the right to vote is just as important as it was when suffragists first spoke out. Unfortunately, even today, the right to vote is still not assured and continues to be under assault by Republicans and those who put barriers in the way of the ballot box. These barriers such as inflexible identification requirements work to disenfranchise young and senior women, women of color, rural and disabled women voters. Combined with vulnerabilities in voting machines and recent Republican attempts to water down the Voting Rights Act, the right to vote still needs to be protected.

Democrats believe that the more people who vote the better it is for our Democracy. The less people who vote and participate in our Democracy the more likely we are to see policies that do not reflect the values and choices of America's women. As we celebrate Women's Equality Day we should reaffirm our commitment to protecting the right to vote for all Americans and ensuring that the voices of women are reflected on the ticket and in the ballot box.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Aren't republicans just the salt of the earth

Everything they do is "against" our citizens.

[Clark2008]

3. And all because one Tennessee state senator's mother

told him to vote for it, thus ratifying the vote!

http://www.blueshoenashville.com/suffragehistory.html

With wilted collars and frayed nerves, the legislators squared off for the third roll call. A blatant red rose on his breast, Harry Burn--the youngest member of the legislature--suddenly broke the deadlock. Despite his red rose, he voted in favor of the bill and the house erupted into pandemonium. With his "yea," Burn had delivered universal suffrage to all American women. The outraged opponents to the bill began chasing Representative Burn around the room. In order to escape the angry mob, Burn climbed out one of the third-floor windows of the Capitol. Making his way along a ledge, he was able to save himself by hiding in the Capitol attic.

When tempers had cooled, Burn was asked to explain the red rose on his lapel and his "yellow-rose" vote. He responded that while it was true he was wearing a red rose, what people couldn't see was that his breast pocket contained a telegram from his mother in East Tennessee. She urged him to do the right thing and vote in favor of the amendment. Governor A. H. Roberts signed the bill on August 24, 1920 and two days later, the Nineteenth Amendment became national law. One hundred and forty-four years after the Declaration of Independence, American women had earned the constitutional right to vote--thanks in large part to a woman named Mrs. Burn and her son, Harry.

[Surya Gayatri]

6. Thanks for posting this, Clark...

great historical footnote--we women owe much to Ms. Burn & her son. I

didn't realize that it was Tenn. that put the vote over the top

for the necessary 2/3 majority. SG

[Jade Fox]

11. Watch "Iron-Jawed Angels"....

an HBO film (rentable on DVD) portraying some of the events leading up to this world changing vote!

[MaineDem]

12. I cry every time I see it

We can't forget what these women went through so that I and my sisters can vote today.

[orpupilofnature57]

4. Partially responsible for the Liberal existence , and humanization of our

Country.

[havocmom]

5. And my ol granny had GP take her down to register to vote.

Crippled since infancy, she had a lot of trouble getting around. But she was proud to exercise her franchise. It was never a burden to stay informed and vote with careful deliberation. She knew America was stronger for her efforts.

She also knew the fight was not over. She knew women would face a lot of resistance when they went to vote. She signed up to be a polling place judge. Raised some eyebrows, I am sure ;) But Granny knew without someone to keep an eye on the good ol boys, too many women would not be able to exercise their right to vote. It was important. She served every election from then on.

In 1960, she was in frail health and hospitalized a few times. One of those times was as the state's primary approached. She checked herself out of the hospital, against doctors' orders. She got up on election day and had GP drive her down to her polling place assignment.

Soon as he got home and got his boots off, a youngster ran up and shouted to him to get down to the church basement fast as, "Mrs Weed has taken awful sick".

By the time he got there, a trip of just 3 blocks, she was gone. Died with her boots on, so to speak. Died in service to the nation as far as I'm concerned. Died doin what was important and what even an old crippled women could do to share in the defense of democracy.

To the women AND men who helped America better serve the ideal of Democracy by working toward equality and justice for ALL
:patriot:

The the men AND women who have defended that democracy, be it in battles abroad, or in the battles at home :patriot:

To guys like BOSSHOG, Saigon68, and our other DU vets :patriot: & many, many thanks.

To the ladies who bucked the system because it was broken without their participation :patriot:

To my ol granny, and the ladies who inspired her, and to my daughter, who carries on the fight :patriot:

Cherish the ladies who cherish the promise of all America should be.

Thanks, Grandma, thanks.

[Luna_Chick]

7. Thanks for sharing that family tidbit, havocmom

And kudos to you for helping to keep the torch lit. :patriot:

[havocmom]

9. LOL almost posted a pic of my beloved and brave daughter

in her green suit. Was worried she might catch me here.

I'm psychic, psychic I tells ya! Or... is it psychotic?

[Surya Gayatri]

8. What a beautiful & fitting

homage to your Grandma, havocmom. Vive les femmes!

As is the woman, so is the family,
As is the family, so is the community,
As is the community, so is the nation,
As is the nation, SO IS THE WORLD...

Women will be the saving grace of this planet yet!
SG

[OzarkDem]

10. Women are the base of the Dem party

We need to keep fighting to protect our right to vote, as well as to make our voices heard within the party.

Here's hoping that some day there will be as many Dem women in public office as there are GOP women.

ERA - Now!