Centennial anniversary year of the passage of the 19th amendment. Explain the wagon behind you, and how it ties into the story of womens suffrage and democracy. Good morning and welcome to the year of the woman, which you can argue every year should be. This year is incredibly special for all of us in america, especially at the smithsonian. We are bound together in celebrating the american womens History Initiative throughout the Smithsonian History Museum and online, and all of the activities this year and here at , the American History museum, we are particularly grateful to have three exhibitions opening. Spurring really from this one. This is democracy in america, the great leap of faith that opened a few years ago. Im in the gallery that takes us through the long and arduous and continuing effort to expand democracy to enfranchise more and more americans. As you might know, early on, only white men with property were able to vote. Throughout the 19th century, the long battle expan
Can argue every year should be. This is incredibly special for all of us in america, especially at the smithsonian. We are bound together in celebrating the american womens History Initiative throughout the Smithsonian History Museum and online, and all of the activities, and here at the American History museum, we are particularly grateful to have three exhibitions opening. Spurring really from this one. This is democracy in america, the great leap of faith that opened a few years ago. Im in the gallery that takes us through the long and arduous and continuing effort to expand democracy to enfranchise more and more americans. As you might know, early on, only white men with property were able to vote. Throughout the 19th century, the long battle expanding that suffrage to slaves, previous slaves, and women, culminating finally in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th amendment. Not guaranteeing women the right to vote, but barring the federal government and states against voters beca