The Scottish Saltire

The Scottish Saltire

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

My Right To Vote

Eighty-eight years ago today US Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification of the nineteenth amendment to the US Constitution.

That amendment reads:

"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.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

The women of 19th century America struggled for more than 70 years, beginning in 1848, for the right to vote. The women of 21st century America are the beneficiaries of their victory. Our right to vote is a gift from our great great grandmothers.

As November approaches remember their struggle. When election day arrives celebrate their victory. Vote! Anyone who knows me knows my political preference. I'm not saying here "Vote for my candidate". I'm simply saying "Vote". It is your right as an American woman.

2 comments:

Amy said...

Amen, sister ;-)

I was rather surprised when I heard Switzerland only granted women the right to vote in 1971 - I heard one Swiss woman comment on it, "Well, we trusted our men to express our opinions." Interesting, people's thinking on things....

Nikki said...

Haha, like we trust our electoral college to do so? I guess people just go along with what they're used to -- it takes a lot to make them want to expend the effort for change. And it's often hard to convince us (instinctively!) short-term-thinking humans that change is worth it. :o1