By: Anvi Ranjan
Voting is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. The ability to be able to participate in elections and have a say in the government is considered a fundamental right for US citizens, however it was one that was not initially afforded to all. For women and people of color, the right to vote was the result of hard fought battles that continued well after the ratification of the 19th amendment. As we reflect on the journey it took to get to the present day, here is a brief timeline of the history of the women’s suffrage movement in the US.
1776- The United States declares independence from England and is established as a sovereign country, however only white male landowners over the age of 21 are eligible to vote.
1848- The Seneca Falls Convention occurs in Seneca Falls, NY and helps begin the women’s suffrage movement. The Declaration of Sentiments, a document calling for the rights of women that includes a resolution for voting, is barely passed.
1870- The 15th amendment is passed and Black men are now allowed to vote, however voter intimidation, fraud, literacy tests, and taxes are among the many ways voter suppression occurs. Native Americans and women are still unable to vote.
1869- Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton create the National Woman Suffrage Association, but refuse to support the 15th amendment. While the abolitionist movement has often gone hand in hand with the women’s rights movement, not all suffragists are fighting for voting rights for all women, just white women. This causes fractures within the group and detaches Black suffragists. In the same year, Wyoming became the first territory to pass a women’s suffrage law and grant women the right to vote.
1890- The movement once again reunites and forms the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).
1896- For much of the suffrage movement, Black women face discrimination from white suffragists. Black Suffragists, including Harriet Tubman, form the NACWC (National Association of Colored Women Clubs), which advocated for the equal rights and opportunities for Black women.
1916- Jeanette Rankin is the first woman ever elected to congress.
1919/1920- The senate just barely passes the 19th amendment as per the ⅔ requirement, and the ratification process is begun. 36 states are needed, with Massachusetts being among the first 11 to ratify. By 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state to ratify, giving women voting rights for the first time in the US. 8 million women casted their votes, including black women, who still must face discrimation and attempted disenfranchisement at the polls.
1924- Native Americans become citizens for the first time, however Native women and men are still not afforded full voting rights until 1962, when Utah becomes the last state to grant voting rights.
1984- Mississippi officially becomes the last state to formally ratify the 19th Amendment, officially giving the women the right to vote in all 50 states, 65 years after the amendment is originally ratified.
While this is by no means a full and in depth history of the suffragist movement nor does it give a full picture of the complex dynamics of race and racism within the movement, the sources used as well as additional links for further research have been included below.
As the election approaches, it is important to acknowledge how precious our right to vote is, and how important it is that we use that privilege to make impactful change in the country and communities that we are a part of. Even now, voter intimidation, lack of registration, and lack of turnout are still some of the issues that hinder voting today. While we have come a long way, there is still work to be done to solve these issues and make voting more accessible for all.
Sources:
https://www.history.com/news/19th-amendment-women-vote-timeline https://www.npr.org/2020/08/26/904730251/yes-women-could-vote-after-the-19th-amen dment-but-not-all-women-or-men
https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/history-of-voting-in-america-timeline.pdf https://www.womenshistory.org/resources/timeline/womans-suffrage-timeline https://www.npr.org/2011/03/25/134849480/the-root-how-racism-tainted-womens-suffra ge
