Celebrating the 19th Amendment
On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made voting a right regardless of gender. But millions of women, including women of color, were still excluded from the ballot box for generations. It wasn’t until 1965 that the Voting Rights Act gave Black women the right to vote, and not until 1975’s expansion of the Voting Rights Act did non-English-speaking women, including many Latinx, Native American and Asian American women achieve the right to vote. Even today, many obstacles to voting still exist.
The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation celebrates this centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment as a hard-fought victory, but acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to ensure equal access to the vote, and broader gender equity and political parity for all people.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
HOW YOU CAN ADVANCE THE PROMISE OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE
- Register to vote and help other women register to vote!
- Run for office with Women Run! or motivate other women, especially women of color, to run for office (and then help them win!).
- Advocate for policies and laws that expand opportunities for voting, such as expanded absentee and mail-in voting, improved access for women with disabilities, eliminating discriminatory voter ID laws, etc.
SHE VOTES 2020 EVENTS
Below are New Hampshire Women’s Foundation sponsored or partner events.
August 14
Why They Marched
Celebrating the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage
A conversation with author Dr. Susan Ware, moderated by Liz Tentarelli, president of the League of Women Voters
August 26
New HampsHER Votes
A conversation with leading experts on voting in New Hampshire: Senator Melanie Levesque, Representative Marjorie Smith, and City Councilor Palana Belken, moderated by Maggie Goodlander.
6–7pm
August 26
THE VOTE: NH Screening and Discussion
A one-hour interactive screening that encapsulates the dramatic story of the epic crusade waged by American women for the right to vote. Immediately following the program, you are invited to stay for a passionate panel discussion featuring Jennifer Carroll, Director of Education for the Historical Society of Cheshire County and Liz Tentarelli, President of the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire.
7pm
September 10
THE VOTE: NH Screening and Discussion
Now more than ever Americans understand that access to voting rights—that most sacred of civic rights and responsibilities—is a pillar of democratic government, essential to the preservation of American life and the expression of the will of the people. But those rights are not to be taken for granted. When American women secured the right to vote in 1920, they doubled the size of the American electorate overnight and changed the face of American politics at a stroke, marking a truly revolutionary moment in our nation’s history.
Join New Hampshire PBS, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, and the New Hampshire Historical Society for a special screening of American Experience’s “The Vote,” which explores the remarkable story for women’s suffrage that culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment 100 years ago.
7pm
September 14
100 Years of Suffrage & the Legacy of Voter Suppression: Barbara Arnwine
10 – 11:30 am
September 25-26
Black Women Rock!
The 14th Annual Black New England Conference
Speakers and sessions TBA, registration info coming soon.
More info: http://blackheritagetrailnh.org/2020-bnec-call-for-papers/
October 22
She Votes: The 19th Amendment & the Road Ahead
Women Building Community Lunch-Online
Speakers TBA, registration opening soon.
12–2pm
19th Amendment Resources
New Hampshire Women Vote 100 — Citizens of New Hampshire who seek to elevate the 19th Amendment and the anniversary of its federal ratification on August 18, 1920.
The 19th* — A nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy — including some great coverage on the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. You can also watch videos of some of the sessions from their 19th Represents Summit.
Suffrage at 100: A Visual History — A New York Times visual and written historical context of the 19th Amendment.
Women Run! — Our program to recruit and support women candidates in New Hampshire.