League of Women Voters of Chicago

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History of the Passageof the

19th Amendment

"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" and "Congress shall have power to enforce this

article by appropriate legislation."

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1913 4

The crowd watching was estimated at half a million people, with many verbally harassing the marchers while police stood by. A Congressman later remarked about the women’s parade, "They should have been at home where they belonged.“ 1913 5

Unfortunately, neither political party supported women’s voting. 19136

Lucy Burns was chained to the cell bars with her hands above her head, and left that way all night. According to affidavits other women prisoners were beaten, kicked and dragged.. 1917

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1917Newspapers FINALLY reported the treatment of the suffragists as secret notes about the situation became public. The national sympathy began to be aroused and the mood of the nation began to change.

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“The people think that democracy means that women shall play their part alongside men…”

1918

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Each new state to ratify the 19th Amendment got a star on the banner.

1919--Both Houses of Congress DID pass the Susan B. Anthony Amendment on the third vote about it in less than 10 years.

Now the battle went to the states to get enough to ratify the Amendment. They needed 3/4 of the states—36 in all.

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NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION

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Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed a League of Women Voters to work to end all discrimination

against women.

The League was founded in Chicago on Valentine's Day, 1920, six months before the

ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

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The final approval for the 19th Amendment came in Tennessee. Women celebrated all over the nation. The banner was unfurled in Washington, DC.

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On August 26, 1920

144 years after the Declaration of Independence,

Women finally achieved the right to vote when the last needed state approved the 19th Amendment.

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Jane Addams (1860-1935)

A compassionate social worker who helped develop a wide variety of programs to improve the lives of thousands of immigrants.

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Carrie Chapman Catt(1859-1947)The extremely able President of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association that became the

League of Women Voters!

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Ida Wells Barnett (1862-1931)She not only fought lynching of African Americans but also fought discrimination against women.

These pioneers not only impacted the lives of women, they changed the lives of all Americans.

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Who We Are....Who We Are....

The League is nonpartisan. We do not support or oppose candidates.

We work at all levels - local, state and national - educating policymakers and the general public on pressing issues and we take concerted action to bring about positive change.

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Who We Are....

We do support or oppose issues and legislation, after careful member study and agreement.

We mobilize people to vote and to make their opinions known in the complex decisions that affect us all.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization that:

encourages informed and active participation in government

works to increase understanding of major public policy issues

influences public policy through education and advocacy

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The League’s structure enables all members to be community leaders with local, state, and

national impact…National League

State Leagues

Local Leagues

Individual Member

Good Schools

Zoning IssuesTransportation

Land Use

Health CareCampaign Finance Reform

Affordable Housing

Open Meetings

Voting Rights

Clean AirCivil Liberties

Election Reform

Public Parks

Judicial independence

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Because of our reputation for fairness and objectivity, the League of Women Voters is often called on to convene community forums on issues of local concern.

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Today, we are a grassroots organization of 140,000 members and supporters and more than 700 Leagues throughout all 50 states.

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League of Women VotersLeague of Women Votersof Chicagoof Chicago

332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 525332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 525Chicago, IL 60604Chicago, IL 60604

312-939-5949312-939-5949www.LWVChicago.orgwww.LWVChicago.org

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