11-08-2022 10:01am

Women's Suffrage and the Legal Right to Vote in the United States

Christine Larkin Editor

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SKYLARK'S FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK -WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE UNITED STATES

Women's legal right to vote was established in the United States over the course of more than half a century, first in various states and localities, sometimes on a limited basis, and then nationally in 1920 with the passing of the 19th Amendment. A dear friend's Mother was born on this day. She lived to be 100 years old. What a woman.

The demand for women's suffrage began to gather strength in the 1840s, emerging from the broader movement for women's rights. In 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women's rights convention, passed a resolution in favor of women's suffrage despite opposition from some of its organizers, who believed the idea was too extreme. By the time of the first National Women's Rights Convention in 1850, however, suffrage was becoming an increasingly important aspect of the movement's activities. Thank God for that.

The first national suffrage organizations were established in 1869 when two competing organizations were formed, one led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the other by Lucy Stone and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. After years of rivalry, they merged in 1890 as the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) with Anthony as its leading force. The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), which was the largest women's organization at that time, was established in 1873 and also pursued women's suffrage, giving a huge boost to the movement. These women were a force to be reckoned with.

Hoping that the U.S. Supreme Court would rule that women had a constitutional right to vote, suffragists made several attempts to vote in the early 1870s and then filed lawsuits when they were turned away. Anthony actually succeeded in voting in 1872 but was arrested for that act and found guilty in a widely publicized trial that gave the movement fresh momentum. After the Supreme Court ruled against them in the 1875 case Minor v. Happersett, suffragists began the decades-long campaign for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would enfranchise women. Much of the movement's energy, however, went toward working for suffrage on a state-by-state basis. These efforts included pursuing officeholding rights separately in an effort to bolster their argument in favor of voting rights. This is what sacrifice looks like.

The first state to grant women the right to vote had been Wyoming, in 1869, followed by Utah in 1870, Colorado in 1893, Idaho in 1896, Washington in 1910, California in 1911, Oregon and Arizona in 1912, Montana in 1914, North Dakota, New York, and Rhode Island in 1917, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Michigan in 1918. We've had the right for a long time, and we must continue to honor it.

The efforts of Emma Smith DeVoe were crucial to obtaining suffrage in Idaho and later Washington. She also founded the National Council of Women Voters, with the five western equal suffrage states (Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington) as the members. The purpose was to help other states gain suffrage, to educate women for political action, and to improve the station of women in politics, society, and economics. Some historians regard this as the prototype for the National League of Women Voters.

In 1916, Alice Paul formed the National Woman's Party (NWP), a militant group focused on the passage of a national suffrage amendment. Over 200 NWP supporters, the Silent Sentinels, were arrested in 1917 while picketing the White House, some of whom went on hunger strikes and endured forced feeding (see picture below) after being sent to prison. Under the leadership of Carrie Chapman Catt, the two-million-member NAWSA also made a national suffrage amendment its top priority. After a hard-fought series of votes in the U.S. Congress and in state legislatures, the Nineteenth Amendment became part of the U.S. Constitution on August 18, 1920. It states, "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." Let's hear it for the girls!!!!

Women have persevered over the years, and we continue to. Voting is essential to maintain our rights that were hard won. We continue to strive for equal rights including pay, position, and power. Rock the vote!

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, it's important to cast your vote. Your voice matters more than ever before. Here are some things that I'm interested in while casting my vote: senior aid, food insecurity and poverty, mental health, border control, bail reform, a fair and balanced Supreme Court, policing, crime, inflation, order in sanctuary cities, campaign reform, fair elections, freedom to speak one's mind without persecution, and steadfast research and solutions for COVID and other infectious diseases. These are just some of the things that are important to me. We must be empathetic to all people. I feel that the United States can be a place where everyone is treated equal without judgement and afforded abundant opportunity. We have a long way to go, but I believe we can be that country. "The Great Experiment" can prove to be the solution to man's suffering in the world.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - MILANO BEAN CAFE

There's a really cool, intimate coffee house in East Islip called Milano Bean Cafe where I love to hang out. It's become one of my favorite spots for live music by local talent, and the coffee is delicious. There's lots of yummy pastry choices, too. If you love acoustic music, this is the place to be. There's a band on Friday night and an Open Mic on Saturday night. Just bring three songs that you want to perform, sign up, and the spot light is yours...for at least 15 minutes of fame.

Live music never goes out of style and neither does the coffee house. It's where so many folk artists got their start including Bob Dylan and Melanie. This cozy nook is an escape from the noisy world. It feels familiar, with a fresh approach, with white lights strung throughout and a wrought-iron table out front. Once you step inside, you are greeted by owner, Josette, who is friendly, warm, and engaging. It feels like you've stepped into her "home" as there is a "living room" style seating area and wooden tables, too. I sang for a few years with the legendary Peter Seeger who also sang at coffee bars around New York City. I'll let you know when I'll be performing at the Open Mic at Milano Bean Cafe. I'd love to see you there.

Milano Bean Cafe is located at 51 West Main St, East Islip, NY 11730. Friday night's music begins around 6:00pm, and the Saturday night Open Mic is from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - SUFFRAGETTE CITY by DAVID BOWIE

Hey man, oh leave me alone you know
Hey man, oh Henry, get off the phone, I gotta
Hey man, I gotta straighten my face
This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place
Hey man, my schooldays insane
Hey man, my work's down the drain
Hey man, well she's a total blam-blam
She said she had to squeeze it but she then she

Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sight she's all right

Hey man, oh Henry, don't be unkind, go away
Hey man, I can't take you this time, no way
Hey man, droogie don't crash here
There's only room for one and here she comes, here she comes

Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City

Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City

Don't lean on me man "cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sight she's all right

A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
I'm back on Suffragette City, I'm back on Suffragette City
Ooo, Sufraggete city, ooo, Suffragette City
Oooh-how, Sufragette City, oooh-how, Sufragette City
Ohhh, wham bam thank you ma'am
A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
Quite all right
A Suffragette City
Too fine
A Suffragette City, ooh, a Sufragette City
Oh, my Sufragette City, oh my Suffragette City
Oh, Suffragette
Suffragette

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I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write articles geared to the 60 and beyond population. Topics include human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been to in and around Bay Shore. I also write about restaurants and stores in the area. You can also watch my first Monday-of-the-month vlog, “60 and Beyond with Skylark" on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live, that features topics covered in my articles from SLTN. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel as well as my free STLN newsletter that gets delivered directly to your email each Wednesday morning. To support SLTN, you can make a recurring monthly donation ($5 Friend or $15 Advocate) or a one-time donation of any amount. It's up to you, and it's easy to do on my feed. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. Please follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.