Thursday, August 26, 2010

A mere 90 years ago today, a new Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution declared, “The right of the 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.” Women were voting in some states as early as the 1830s, but most states vigorously resisted, especially in the South, as an op-ed column by historian Christine Stansell points out. The women’s suffrage movement ultimately triumphed, navigating through generational, racial, class and geographic divides and employing a rich array of tactics, from direct action to gentle persuasion. The victory was capped by a mom’s reminder to her son to “be a good boy.” The son, a Tennessee state legislator, changed sides, broke a 48-48 tie and cast the deciding vote that ratified the Nineteenth Amendment in the final state needed for enrollment in the Constitution. You think one vote doesn’t make a difference? Today, women comprise 55% of the registered voters in North Carolina and vote in significantly higher numbers than men. Beth Messersmith of Moms Rising has a good column about practical ways women in NC can be involved in politics and teach others about the importance of voting.