Those who paved the way...

I’m writing a series of articles for next year’s celebration of the ratification of the 19^th amendment. On August 18, 1920, the 19^th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution granted women the right to vote. What I didn’t realize, and perhaps you didn’t either, was that the fight for our right to vote actually began in New York in 1848. Here in Oklahoma women began protesting in the late 1800’s and got together with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in 1895 to form the Woman’s Suffrage Association of Oklahoma. According to the El Reno Daily Eagle, “Margaret Rees is at the head of the woman suffrage agitation in Oklahoma”. No bias there!

This is one of the resolutions of their convention of 1895:

“Resolved, That we lay aside all religious and political differences in our suffrage work and put forth our whole efforts toward the advancement of the equal suffrage cause.”

The Peoples Voice (Norman) said “the progressive spirit of Oklahoma will not permit her to lag behind her neighbors in this…”

Apparently they were wrong.

This is a brief history of suffrage from the Oklahoma Historical Society website:

“Despite the suffragists' active, well-organized campaign, the 1906 Oklahoma Constitutional Convention delegates voted against women's suffrage, thus classifying women with illiterates, felons, insane persons, and others denied the right to vote. The association moved to Oklahoma City and changed its name to the Oklahoma Woman's Suffrage Association…

On November 5, 1918, Oklahomans approved State Question 97, which extended suffrage to women. A ratification committee, chaired by Katherine Pierce of Oklahoma City, helped ensure passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in the state legislature. When Oklahoma ratified the Nineteenth Amendment on February 28, 1920, the Oklahoma Woman's Suffrage Association disbanded and the state's League of Women Voters formed.”

 

I know that my family tree includes a lot of strong women who took care of their families, worked alongside their husbands on farms or in family businesses, taught school, did community and church work, and were role models for others. It’s difficult to understand why they had to fight so long for the right to vote or serve on a jury.

I’m learning so much from the research for these articles and I’m thankful for the women who have asked me to be a part of this celebration. I urge you to inquire in your own community about what will be done next year to celebrate and how you might take part in it.