You think one vote doesn’t matter? Hah!
Almost 100 years ago today,* the 19th Amendment was ratified, making it legal for women in the United States to vote.**
The Amendment was ratified thanks to one man’s vote.
In August, 1920, 35 states had ratified the amendment; 36 states were needed for it to pass. Tennessee was the only state still in the game. Proponents and opponents of the amendment gathered in a Nashville hotel to lobby legislators. The press dubbed it the War of the Roses because supporters of the suffrage movement wore yellow roses in their labels while its opponents wore red roses.
On August 19, the vote appeared to be tied, assuming the count of red and yellow roses was correct. When the roll call came, 24-year-old Harry T. Burn stepped into history. Burn came from a very conservative district and wore a red rose in his label, but when asked whether he would vote to ratify the amendment he answered “aye”. What changed his mind? A letter from his mother, who told him to “be a good boy” and vote in favor of the amendment.
Asked later about his change of heart, Burn said “I knew that a mother’s advice is always safest for a boy to follow and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification. I appreciated the fact that an opportunity such as seldom comes to a mortal man to free 17 million women from political slavery was mine.”
If you have the right to vote, use it. Because one vote can in fact change the world.
*Okay, 96 years ago if you’re going to be picky.
**Note that I do not use the phrase “gave them the right to vote”. Women fought hard for that right. Some even died for it.
You are right! I am 73 and have NEVER felt more empowered this year than ever about the need for women to make their voices heard. I am all for equal rights. Boy; they are needed all around.
I will make my choice this November for the first time in my life. I will choose the person I feel right for our country. If it is a woman, so be it. After reviewing the past candidates, many were very qualified, some not so much. They all felt they were going to serve and be instrumental in creating a better American society. That is some what selfish since we are a Global nation now. Whichever of the candidates wins, it will make a gigantic change in our country. The only questions is, when will the “hate” rhetoric stop and how long will it take for the losers to accept the reality? Me included. If that is the case I hate the feeling disappointment brings but I will go forward with hope.