In 1776, before the ink was dry on the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, women began to question why only men had the right to vote. Women had strong opinions and preferences in political issues just like men. American women were citizens, so why were women not allowed to cast a vote the same as men?
In early America, there were extremely proper sensibilities expected of women and those who expressed opinions and discussed politics in public were considered vulgar and impolite. For a very long time, few people, especially men, cared enough to consider any change in the staunch social culture of the day. It was the norm for women to silently accept men’s decisions, especially in all things outside the home. Nevertheless, the women did not give up and the struggle for voting rights continued for many generations.
Over time, the voices of more and more women, including some men, began to join the fight for suffrage until they could no longer be ignored and the democratic process was enacted. The 19th Amendment officially became law August 18, 1920.
View the slides below to learn more on the early history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and discover some of the women from across Arkansas who used their democratic voices to make a difference.
In early America, there were extremely proper sensibilities expected of women and those who expressed opinions and discussed politics in public were considered vulgar and impolite. For a very long time, few people, especially men, cared enough to consider any change in the staunch social culture of the day. It was the norm for women to silently accept men’s decisions, especially in all things outside the home. Nevertheless, the women did not give up and the struggle for voting rights continued for many generations.
Over time, the voices of more and more women, including some men, began to join the fight for suffrage until they could no longer be ignored and the democratic process was enacted. The 19th Amendment officially became law August 18, 1920.
View the slides below to learn more on the early history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and discover some of the women from across Arkansas who used their democratic voices to make a difference.
