Lessons Learned From the Suffrage Movement

Abstract

On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the thirty-sixth state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, paving the way for its adoption. The Nineteenth Amendment protects the female citizens’ constitutional right to vote. Prior to its passage, only a few states permitted women to vote in state and/or local elections.

In 2020, we celebrate the Centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment’s passage. This anniversary provides a time to reflect upon lessons learned from the suffrage movement including that (1) voting rights matter; (2) inclusive movements matter; and (3) voting rights matter for, but cannot solely achieve, gender equality.

Keywords: voting rights, suffrage movement, 19th Amendment, race, gender, movements, equal protection clause, equal rights amendment, women’s history

JEL Classification: K00