Ladies Choice: A Woman's Right To Vote In America

 

 Ninety-three years ago, after long angry battles that raged, arrests, tortured incarcerations, marches, picket lines and a war for equality that drew blood and the attention of the nation and indeed the world, women in America finally won the right to vote.

 

 HBO created a movie about the women who fought so tirelessly, so that all the generations of women after them could have a voice, could live in a society of equality. It's a tough movie to watch, to realize what was sacrificed so that women could step behind the curtain and exercise their choice; their right to vote, to change the nation & the future of our country. 

I absolutely recommend this Hilary Swank gem: IronJawed Angels

 

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Both of these ladies worked incessantly to get the vote, and both passed away before their dreams were realized.  Some of the other amazing women who rallied for the cause were:

 

Alice Paul

 

  Lucretia Mott

 

 

Lucy Burns

 

 

One of the most unlikely and determined women to fight for and help achieve equality across the board was Sojourner Truth. Born into slavery in 1797, she had to work harder than white women of the time to win her freedom and the vote. The Civil War didn't even start until 1861; her battle was always uphill.

Her famous 'Ain't I A Woman' speech still resonates:

 

“Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it. The men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.”

--Sojourner Truth

 

Whether you vote Democrat, Republican or Independent...

PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE

The right to do so was not given freely, it was hard fought and hard won by the blood and tears of our foremothers.

Make their sacrifices and dreams count, and change the world we live in with your voice.