2020 has been one for the history books. However, as 2020 makes history, it is also important to remember history--specifically an event that happened exactly 100 years prior: the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The 19th Amendment states, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
Here at WPLN, we recognize the importance of such a crucial amendment and how it affects us today. As we reflect on the year, we remember how we have celebrated the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment and how we will continue to amplify women. The following is a collection of celebrations and remembrances of the 19th Amendment from WPLN:
Facebook Live: Celebrating a Century of Women’s Suffrage. WPLN Board Member and Director of Programs and Partnerships Sarah Curran met with Dee Dee Bass Wilbon and Deana Bass Williams, the “Suffrage Sisters" & Co-Founders of Bass Public Affairs, to celebrate the ratification of the 19th Amendment and discuss the importance of its history. Deana Bass Williams states, "There have been women of all shapes and sizes, all stripes, all political persuasions, socio-economic backgrounds, who fought for the right to vote," while her sister Dee Dee Bass Wilbon adds, “The 19th Amendment was not the end, but... the beginning... it was the opportunity for us to continue to move forward and continue to be a much better nation.”
The Road to Women’s Suffrage: A Brief Timeline of Women’s Right to Vote. While women could not be denied the right to vote simply by being a woman because of the 19th Amendment, other obstacles were in place that prevented women of all backgrounds from making their voices heard. A number of important events occurred in the years preceding the ratification of this amendment, and continued after to ensure that all women in the United States were eligible and able to vote. The timeline provides some key events on the road to women’s suffrage.
Women in Public Office: An inside look at the Famous Firsts that transformed politics, parts 1-3. In a series of blog posts, WPLN seeks to celebrate trailblazers in women’s political history. Part 1 focuses on pioneers in local and community-based politics. Part 2 highlights some of the first women to seek wider influence in government, from positions in Congress to governors. Part 3 focuses on women in the national spotlight, including Supreme Court justices and presidential candidates.
The Champions of Black Women’s Right to Vote. WPLN seeks to amplify and celebrate women who were champions of women’s suffrage as well as African American’s rights. Among many others, the women in this article fought for the rights of both women and people of color to have equal rights and make their voices heard. These women were vital to ensuring that women of all backgrounds could vote.
The 19th News: What it takes to build a nonpartisan pipeline for women candidates. In addition to celebrations of the 10th Amendment in its own organization, WPLN was featured in an article by The 19th News. In it, WPLN Executive Director and founder Larissa Martinez stresses the importances of making sure women of all schools of thought are heard and represented.
Women’s Public Leadership Network Awards Half-Million Dollars to Break Barriers for Female Candidates. Celebrating the women’s right to vote doesn’t just involve words, nor should it only be remembered on its centennial anniversary. That’s why WPLN is dedicated to augmenting that right by helping organizations dedicated to women’s political involvement, using the anniversary of the 19th Amendment to give $500,000 to organizations that match WPLN’s mission of “bringing more voices to the table, equipping commonsense, pragmatic women to enter public office.”