Amendment. Today our new exhibit, rightfully hers, american women and the vote, opened up stair in the lawrence f. Obrien gallery. This exhibit is a corner stone of our sentenal celebration of the 19th amendment. Which gave women the right to vote. The 19th amendment is rightfully celebrated as a major milestone made possible by decades of suffrage relentless Political Engagement and one critical piece of the larger story of womens battle for the vote. Rightfully hers begins with the suffrage that doesnt end with the 19th amendments ratification. The final section examines the Immediate Impact and the voting right struggles that persisted into modern day. And corrine porter, stand up, is the curator of that exhibit. [ applause ] one of the goals of the exhibit is to recognize both the broad diversity of suffrage activists and the many bases on which american women have been barred from voting. As susan ware does in why they march the exhibit looks beyond the familiar names such as susa
Amendment giving women the right to vote. The womens Suffrage Centennial commission hosted this conversation. Good afternoon, everyone. And welcome. My name is dr. Colleen show gun and im the vice chair of the womens Suffrage Centennial commission. On behalf of the commission and twitter. Were thrilled to bring you womens fight for the vote, celebrating 100 years of the 19th amendment, conversation with elaine weiss and Hillary Rodham clinton moderated by dr. Carla hayden. This is the 100 Year Anniversary of the 19th amendment and the womens right to vote. And in honor of this milestone of american democracy, congress has officially designated august as National Womens suffrage month. The Centennial Commission is coordinating suffrage month on behalf of the congress and the American People and if this history interests you, please visit the commission at womens vote 100. Org to learn more and engage. But for now lets enjoy this conversation between the three brilliant women as we celeb
Key role it played in the 19th amendment. Guest yes, in august of 1920, 30 five states had ratified the 19th but the 36th state was elusive. There were 48 states in the United States at that time, and according to the constitution, ofre was required 3 4 number states to ratify to make the night he could mimic part of because addition, and really the last battle came down to tennessee. State thatot another could ratify the 19th amendment, and if women were going to have the 1920t to vote in election, it all came down to tennessee. Host tennessee and also one key vote. This is the headline from the washington post, a mothers that are, a signs choice, and the incredible moment women won the right to vote. Their letter was written by the mother of henry t. Burn. Guest harry byrne was a in theator Tennessee State house that represented east tennessee. His district was not particularly supportive of the 19th amendment, and the governor session toa special consider the 19th amendment, so urn
Student, student of International Affairs who took a an interest in public issues. She could not vote yet that tenant farmers on our farm, some of whom were illiterate could vote. Host who was harry byrne and why does he play a central role in your story . Guest Harry Thomas Byrne was the youngest legislator in the tennessee General Assembly in 1920. He was a freshman delegate. He was up for reelection in the fall. He represented a small hill town in east tennessee, the republican part of tennessee. And he, although he voted with the antisuffragists and the nt ratification nests from the 19th amendment, was upper ratification and that tennessee General Assembly that summer, he changed his mind because of a letter he received from his mother we described in that clip. That change of mind tilted the vote by one vote and that is how the 19th amendment was finally ratified. Host how did the vote for ratification of the constitutional amendment come down to tennessee . Guest a convoluted pa
The movement dates from 1848, when a convention to consider the rights of women was held in seneca falls, new york. The committee adopting the list of women filed her grievances against the government of men. The same grievances american men had against king george. It took George Washington six years to rectify mens grievances by war, but it took 72 years to establish womens rights by law. Legal enactments were necessary, and every one was troubled by ignorant opposition. Womens suffrage is a long story of hard work and heartache, crowned by victory. Host Colleen Shogans Senior Vice President of the White House Historical guest thank you and good morning. Host lets talk about the significance of the events this week. Guest in august of 1920, 35 states had ratified the 19th 36th state was elusive. Constitution,he there was a required three force numbered of states that had to ratify it to make the 19th them, part of the constitution. The last battle came down to tennessee. There was no