ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Celebrated each May 1, Law Day recognizes and celebrates our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Each year, the American Bar Association designates a theme for Law Day. This year’s theme is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy.”
The theme celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote.
The Road to the vote
The fight for women’s right to vote started at a meeting in Seneca Falls, New York, in July 1848.
Approximately 100 people attended the two-day meeting, two-thirds of the attendees being female. A “Declaration of Sentiments, Grievances, and Resolutions” came out of the meeting, with one of the resolutions being the right for women to vote.
The path to the 19th Amendment was long, fractured and came in waves. There were groups, such as the National Woman Suffrage Association and American Woman Suffrage Association, which led the cause.
Those who sought the right to vote were called “suffragists” or “suffragettes.” They conducted sit-ins, hunger strikes, marches and petitions to lawmakers.
One of the most famous suffragettes, Susan B. Anthony, was arrested for voting in 1872.
Surprisingly, not all women supported the efforts. For example, in 1917 the Women Voters Anti-Suffrage Party of New York petitioned the United States Senate not to pass the amendment.
Ratification of the 19th Amendment
Congress passed and proposed the 19th Amendment June 4, 1919. Three-fourths of the states had to ratify, or agree to, the Amendment, in order for it to become part of the Constitution.
The 19th Amendment was officially adopted August 26, 1920.
On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the deciding state, when it voted on the proposed Amendment in a special session.
The Amendment was ratified by one vote, cast by 24-year-old Representative Harry Burn. Once an anti-suffragist, he changed his position after receiving a letter from his mother, in which she encouraged him to vote in favor of ratification.
Right or Responsibility?
It is easy to take voting for granted if we don’t consider the efforts put forth to achieve the ratification of the 19th Amendment and give all citizens the right to vote.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 61.4% of adult U.S. citizens voted in the 2016 Presidential election. Nationwide, 63.3% of adult female citizens voted in that election, while 58.9% of Alabama adult female citizens voted.
Clearly, not everyone who can vote does so.
When deciding whether to make it to the poll on Election Day, we should take into account the hard work and sacrifices made to ensure we all enjoy the right to participate in our electoral process.
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