#19th amendment

[whatareyoureallyafraidof]

These MAGA fucks won't be happy until we return to a time when only straight, white, male, Christian, land-owners could vote! Women, wake up! They won't stop at taking away your right to make decisions about your own body. They want to take away your right to vote! What will be next?

[newyorkthegoldenage]

In the first national election held after the passage of the 19th Amendment, women line up to cast their ballots at 111th Street and Broadway, November 2, 1920.

Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images/Fine Art America

[whenweallvote]

On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was certified, granting women the right to vote in the United States. However, it took decades of marching and organizing to help ensure ALL women could vote — and our work is not done yet.

104 years later, we are still fighting for equal access to the ballot box, because we know that our vote is too powerful to give up. When All Women Vote, we can change this country. 

Join us now by checking your voter registration status at WeAll.Vote/register, and remind everyone in your life to do the same. #WomenVote2024 🗳️

[usnatarchives]

As mentioned on 60 Minutes last night, we are thrilled to announce that the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, will go on permanent display at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.

Beginning in March 2026, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see this groundbreaking legislation alongside some of the most important documents in American history—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

The 19th Amendment represents a pivotal moment in our nation's history, as it removed voting restrictions for more than half of Americans and was the result of over eight decades of tireless advocacy by the women’s suffrage movement. This addition to the display marks an effort to present a fuller story of America’s journey toward equality and democracy. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that continues as we move toward a more perfect union, just in time to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan shared her excitement: "I am thrilled we are adding these documents as we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America. I look forward to welcoming all Americans to experience first-hand this engaging history on display.”

Learn more about this momentous announcement in this National Archives press release: https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2024/nr24-40

📸: Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, June 4, 1919 (cropped). https://catalog.archives.gov/id/596314

[sacramentohistorymuseum]

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, a day observed on the anniversary of when the 19th Amendment was certified to the United States Constitution. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote but those voting rights were still limited in many states and for People of Color. Voting rights were not fully extended to all groups until 1965 under the Voting Rights Act.

The fight for the 19th Amendment did not happen overnight as the suffrage movement that culminated in the certification of the 19th Amendment, on this day in 1920, began almost 100 years prior. Nevertheless, on this very historic day, we must reflect on the power that the right to vote has, especially with an election just over two months away.

For today, Alex letterpress printed one of the slogans used by suffragettes when advocating for the right to vote. This was typeset in 72 point Caslon font. The phrase states, “Votes For Women." This was printed with black rubber base ink using our Washington hand press.

[citizenscreen]

A dramatic battle in the Tennessee House of Representatives ends with the state ratifying the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution on August 18, 1920. After decades of struggle and protest by suffragettes across the country, the decisive vote is cast by a 24-year-old representative who reputedly changed his vote after receiving a note from his mother.

[adventuressclubamericas]

Chair and officers of the National Women's Party, Washington, DC. 1920, before the 19th Amendment was ratified.

[todaysdocument]

Minnesota's Ratification of the 19th Amendment

Record Group 233: Records of the U.S. House of RepresentativesSeries: Committee PapersFile Unit: Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to the Committee on Woman Suffrage during the 66th Congress

State of Minnesota

Department of State

I, Julius A. Schmahl, Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota

do hereby certify that I have compared the annexed copy with record of the original instrument in my office of

a joint resolution ratifying the proposed amendment to the constitution of the United States of America, as adopted by the legislature of the state of Minnesota in extraordinary session convened at the State Capitol in St. Paul at 12 o'clock noon on Monday, September 8th, 1919, the Senate of said legislature ratifying the same by a vote of 60 ayes to 5 nays, and the house of representatives of said legislature ratifying the same by a vote of 120 ayes to 6 nays, the vote in favor of said resolution in either branch being more than 2/3 of the membership of the same

and that said copy is a true and correct transcript of said instrument and of the whole thereof

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State at the Capitol in Saint Paul, this 8th day of September, Nineteen hundred and Nineteen.

[signed] Julius Schmahl

Secretary of State

[uwmspeccoll]

Milestone Monday

On this day, November 18, 1872, Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) and 14 other women were arrested for voting illegally in the United States presidential election of 1872. Though all were arrested, only Anthony was indicted and brought to trial in circuit court. Susan B. Anthony was an American social reformer and advocate for women's rights, significantly contributing to the women's suffrage movement and challenging laws that restricted voting rights to men.

Susan B. Anthony's act of civil disobedience, arrest, and trial galvanized the American women’s suffrage movement. During that period, like all criminal defendants, Anthony was not allowed to testify in her own defense and had to rely on her attorneys to present her case.

The judge in the case ordered the jury to find her guilty without deliberation. She was fined $100, to which she said, “I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty.”  She delivered a now-famous speech despite the judge commanding her to cease.

Even though she was found guilty, her courageous stand and ensuing trial brought greater attention to the insufficient rights of women under the U.S. Constitution. Anthony remained dedicated to advocating for women’s suffrage, delivering speeches nationwide, and working diligently until her passing. Fifty years later, the ratification of the 19th Amendment would pass, giving women the right to vote. 

Hooray for Women’s Suffrage! Also, let’s hope we don’t see this history repeat itself!!

The photos featured come from the following books in our collection:

History of Woman Suffrage edited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage and published in Rochester, N.Y. by Susan B. Anthony in 1887.

An Account of the Proceedings on the trial of Susan B. Anthony, on the Charge of Illegal Voting at the Presidential Election in Nov. 1872, and on the Trial of Beverly W. Jones, Edwin T. Marsh, and William B. Hall, the Inspectors of Election by Whom Her Vote Was Received published in Rochester, N.Y. by the Daily Democrat and Chronicle Book Print in 1874.

View more Milestone Monday posts.

-Melissa, Special Collections Graduate Intern

[netscapenavigator-official]

I’m still in town for that wedding, and I was talking to my mother. She’s what you would consider a true swing voter. I mean 50/50 split, thinks the system is so dysfunctional it’s barely worth voting in. That kinda swing voter. She told me the only reason she’s voting is because she’s a woman, and she’s worried about abortion rights and her 19th amendment.

Overturning Roe v. Wade was a stupid decision when it was made, and it’s only gotten more so as the months have gone by. I hope Republicans never live down making a decision that had that amount of widespread bipartisan disapproval.

[whatareyoureallyafraidof]

Look them in the eye and tell them how Joe Biden wanted to codify reproductive rights, ensuring them forever, but he was old. So, you voted for the Party that has repeatedly said they would ban abortion, and some of whom want to repeal the right of women to vote! Or, (just as bad) you decided not to vote at all.

[newyorkthegoldenage]

A window card from 1920, proclaiming that a newly-enfranchised woman had registered to vote.

Photo: NYC Municipal Archives

[whenweallvote]

Yes, the 19th Amendment officially granted women the right to vote — but this did not include ALL women. Despite their contributions to the women’s suffrage movement, Black women and women of color continued to fight for their voting rights long after 1920. Today we honor and celebrate Black women’s continued fight for our vote.

Take it from our Founder Michelle Obama: “We owe it to ourselves, and to our kids and grandkids, to make our voices heard. That's what our mothers and grandmothers did for us. And now it's our turn."

Do your part and register to vote now at WeAll.Vote/register.

[usnatarchives]

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920.

The National Archives holds the record for this historic amendment.

Visit http://archives.gov/milestone-documents/19th-amendment for more information.

[infinitemonkeytheory]

You’re not imagining it: As we speed towards election day, conservative men are increasingly ‘joking’ about repealing the 19th Amendment or controlling women’s votes. We’re meant to believe that these are just quips from hilarious provocateurs trying to ‘trigger’ Democratic women. But in a moment when women are dying and going septic because the government deems them less a person than the pregnancy they’re carrying, the remarks don’t feel like punchlines as much as they do predictions. 

Especially because those delivering the jabs are leading conservative voices, men who actually do have the ability to influence policy. Consider what former Donald Trump aide John McEntee said in a videoposted earlier this week, delivered while eating chili cheese fries and smiling:

“So I guess they misunderstood when we said we wanted mail-only voting. We meant male m-a-l-e.” 

It would be easier to see this as a bad pun if McEntee wasn’t a senior advisor for Project 2025—the conservative agenda detailing how to strip women of vital rights and trap them in the home.

[katialeephotography]

Voting is an Act of Love

“How a society treats its most vulnerable is always the measure of its humanity.” Matthew Rycroft

Voting is an act of love.  Not love for one political party or candidate but for democracy and all it represents.

Currently, one party has shown a blatant disregard for the rights of many in our society. In this election we must choose to protect the freedoms that define us. We must vote for the needs of the people.

Vote with love for those who are held back by systemic racist policies. Vote so communities of color are allowed the freedoms and benefits of our society.  Vote so that our education system cultivates full understandings of racial injustices, their history, and how to eradicate them.

Vote with love for those whose freedom to cast their ballots is restricted by gerrymandering, voter purging, voter intimidation, limiting voting locations, and redundant voter registration laws, all of which hamper democratic participation.

Vote with love for those who deserve the right to make autonomous decisions for their health and wellbeing without political interference.

Vote with love for those who are disabled and whose funding for schools and social programs are often first to be eliminated.

Vote with love for those who deserve respect in their schools no matter their gender. Vote so policies that are written and upheld, allow people to live openly without fear of discrimination.

Vote for each and every child on this planet, and future generations whose health and safety are in peril. Vote for those who understand the urgent necessity to stand up to the powerful, destructive forces and say, “Enough.”

Vote with love for your immigrant parents and friends who fled authoritarian regimes, and chose to become citizens of this country; trusting that democracy and freedoms here in these United States are constant, not fickle or easily stripped from its citizens.

Vote with love for this country, knowing that decisions that could be made for us will be far more egregious than anything we’ve witnessed before.   Vote because you have the agency to protect the Republic.

Your vote is love in action. Look to the most vulnerable people you love, and vote in their interest.