This year marks the centennial of American women earning the right to vote, thanks to ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920.
One hundred is a big, memorable number worth celebrating. But it’s far from the most astounding number related to the suffrage movement. Consider that, for most of our nation’s history—144 years—females were denied this crucial right. Moreover, it took the suffragists 72 years before the women’s right to vote became law and, despite being passed by Congress a year earlier, 13 months passed before enough states ratified the 19th Amendment and made it effective nationwide.
Many important figures paved the path to the ballot box for women. Some are well represented in history books and museums. Others have been overlooked and underappreciated. But all are deserving of praise and recognition. Read my newest article for CTW Features and learn about some of these pioneering females in the suffrage movement by clicking here.