The right to vote was given to women only 100 years ago and the anniversary is being celebrated by those who pay their respects to the heroines of the 20th century. During the 1920s, women were first allowed to vote subsequent to the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution being passed and ratified. The centennial anniversary of such government involvement for females is a significant portion of women’s history. 

Programs surrounding the anniversary plan to educate the public about the battle for women’s suffrage and promote laws that ensure women’s full and equal right to vote and obtain government participation. When one realizes it’s only been 100 years, the women who fought for these rights appear a lot closer to home. For example, the reality of what a female’s situation would be like back then becomes more clear when listening to the words of women like Susan B. Anthony and Victoria Claflin Woodnull. Anthony once confidently stated, “I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. The sense of independence and security is sweet.”

Some reasons for studying women’s suffrage as well as the impacts of the centennial anniversary are going to be emphasized especially throughout the year 2020, which is coming up soon. It will shed light on what life would be like for the women of today if these rights had never been fought for while recognizing the efforts of those who broke not only a societal and political barrier but a historical one.

The American Bar Association obtains a website that delivers tool kits to support the programs surrounding this historical anniversary, videos that can be used for events or lessons, information on the amendment itself, activities, interesting facts, and a gallery of the 19th amendment photographs. 

One of the greatest factors of importance in celebrating 100 years of women having the right to vote is honoring those who made it possible. Singer and activist Nina Simone once said, “There’s no excuse for the young people not knowing who the heroes or heroines are ore were.” As the commencement of the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage draws near, the echoes of equality ring from the voices of society’s ancestral luminaries, pushing the youth of today to value their political involvement.