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League of Women Voters of Chicago. History of the Passage of the 19th Amendment
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History of the Passageof the 19th Amendment "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" and "Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
The crowd watching was estimated at half a million people, with many verbally harassing the marchers while police stood by. A Congressman later remarked about the women’s parade, "They should have been at home where they belonged.“ 1913
Unfortunately, neither political party supported women’s voting. 1913
Lucy Burns was chained to the cell bars with her hands above her head, and left that way all night. According to affidavits other women prisoners were beaten, kicked and dragged.. 1917
1917 Newspapers FINALLY reported the treatment of the suffragists as secret notes about the situation became public. The national sympathy began to be aroused and the mood of the nation began to change.
“The people think that democracy means that women shall play their part alongside men…” 1918
Each new state to ratify the 19th Amendment got a star on the banner. 1919--Both Houses of Congress DID pass the Susan B. Anthony Amendment on the third vote about it in less than 10 years. Now the battle went to the states to get enough to ratify the Amendment. They needed 3/4 of the states—36 in all.
Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed a League of Women Voters to work to end all discrimination against women. The League was founded in Chicago on Valentine's Day, 1920, six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
The final approval for the 19th Amendment came in Tennessee. Women celebrated all over the nation. The banner was unfurled in Washington, DC.
On August 26, 1920 144 years after the Declaration of Independence, Women finally achieved the right to vote when the last needed state approved the 19th Amendment.
Jane Addams (1860-1935) A compassionate social worker who helped develop a wide variety of programs to improve the lives of thousands of immigrants.
Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) The extremely able President of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association that became the League of Women Voters!
Ida Wells Barnett (1862-1931) She not only fought lynching of African Americans but also fought discrimination against women. These pioneers not only impacted the lives of women, they changed the lives of all Americans.
Who We Are.... The League is nonpartisan. We do not support or oppose candidates. We work at all levels - local, state and national - educating policymakers and the general public on pressing issues and we take concerted action to bring about positive change.
Who We Are.... • We do support or oppose issues and legislation, after careful member study and agreement. • We mobilize people to vote and to make their opinions known in the complex decisions that affect us all.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization that: encourages informed and active participation in government works to increase understanding of major public policy issues influences public policy through education and advocacy
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Because of our reputation for fairness and objectivity, the League of Women Voters is often called on to convene community forums on issues of local concern.
Today, we are a grassroots organization of 140,000 members and supporters and more than 700 Leagues throughout all 50 states.
League of Women Votersof Chicago 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 525 Chicago, IL 60604 312-939-5949 www.LWVChicago.org