Centennial of Women's Vote Includes 12 Ratification Dates in 2020
Carrie Chapman Catt was a lead suffragist, and founder of the League of Women Voters, who helped secure for American women the right to vote.
The 100th anniversary of US women's voting rights (Women's Suffrage) looms large in terms of social impact. Eight million women voted for the first time in the 1920 presidential elections on November 2 — just three months after the 19th constitutional amendment was ratified by 36 states on August 18. Surely loud "hurrahs" will sound across the nation on this Centennial day in 2020! But we can also celebrate the series of centennial dates from January 12 to March 22, as the state ratification tally slowly climbed from 24 to 35 -- before stopping.
The path to ratification was a cliffhanger. As of January 6, 1920, 24 states - half the states in the Union - had approved the measure. Approval was needed by 12 more states to reach the 75% threshold required for a constitutional amendment. Seven states had voted 'no,' so the margin for victory was narrow.
The ratification process had started back in May 21, 1919, with an overwhelmingly favorable vote by the US House of Representatives (305 to 80). The Senate approval 2 weeks later was more tepid — just 2 votes over the required 2/3rd majority — on June 4. It took another year and 2 months for Tennessee to become the 36th state to approve the amendment on August 18, 1920. That story takes a domestic turn.
I was aware of the "Tennessee ratification" drama: the four arid months of spring and summer with no states voting; the 48-48 split of the Tennessee state assembly on the amendment question; and the young legislator, 24-year old Harry Burn, who had opposed the amendment, but received a letter from his mother on the morning of the vote. I'd thought that he dutifully followed mom's orders to "be a good boy" and "vote for Suffrage."
What amazed me this week, upon seeing the seven-page letter, is the astute, clever voice of Mrs. James (Febb Ensminger), who knew how to gently cajole her son rather than plead or pressure. Her note has typical domestic news - a house sale, the rainy weather, a wedding. and the party that will follow.
"Mama" keeps the tone light, and slips into her timely topic mid-paragraph in spirited form: "Hurrah and vote for Suffrage and don't keep them in doubt."
Then a humorous dig at politics: "I hope you see enough of politicians to know it is not one of the greatest things to be one. What Say Ye!??"
And finally, a coy reminder cloaked in metaphors and puns alluding to Carrie Chapman Catt, lead suffragist and founder of the League of Women Voters: "Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. 'Thomas Catt' with her 'Rats.' Is she the one that put rat in ratification - Ha."
The wise, upbeat letter from home had effect. When a vote was called that afternoon, Representative Burns changed his position and voiced a 'yay' vote. The Tennessee tie was broken, and the 19th Amendment of the US Constitution was now the law.
PATHWAY TO VICTORY: 19th Amendment Ratification in 1920
Here are the upcoming 19th Amendment ratification Centennials, state by state:
January 12 - Oregon #25
January 16 - Indiana #26
January 26 - Wyoming #27
February 7 - Nevada #28
February 9 - New Jersey #29
February 11 - Idaho #30
February 12 - Arizona #31
February 16 - New Mexico #32
February 23 - Oklahoma #33
March 10 - West Virginia #34
March 22 - Washington #35
August 18 - Tennessee #36
Susan Haig is Founder of CivicStory and Conductor of the South Orange Symphony Orchestra.