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Woman Suffrage Centennial
Timeline: The Senate and the 19th Amendment
Women demanded political equality even before the nation's founding, but not until 1878 did a member of Congress formally submit a proposal to amend the Constitution to allow women to vote. The Senate debated what came to be known as
Women demanded political equality even before the nation's founding, but not until 1878 did a member of Congress formally submit a proposal to amend the Constitution to allow women to vote. The Senate debated what came to be known as
the Susan B. Anthony Amendment periodically for more than four decades. Approved by the Senate on June 4, 1919, and ratified in August 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment marked one stage in women's long fight for political equality. This timeline features key moments on the Senate's
long road to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
July 19-20, 1848Women's Rights Advocates Meet in Seneca Falls, New York
At a convention in Seneca Falls, New York, prominent women's rights advocates draft the "Declaration of Sentiments," including
July 19-20, 1848Women's Rights Advocates Meet in Seneca Falls, New York
At a convention in Seneca Falls, New York, prominent women's rights advocates draft the "Declaration of Sentiments," including
a provision to extend the right to vote to all women.
December 12, 1866 Senate Defeats D.C. Suffrage Proposal
During a debate over a District of Columbia suffrage bill, Senator Edgar Cowan (R-PA) introduces an amendment to provide for woman suffrage. The Senate defeats Cowan’s amendment by a vote of 9-37.
During a debate over a District of Columbia suffrage bill, Senator Edgar Cowan (R-PA) introduces an amendment to provide for woman suffrage. The Senate defeats Cowan’s amendment by a vote of 9-37.
December 7, 1868Pomeroy Proposes Universal Suffrage
As Congress debates the nation’s postwar reconstruction, Senator Samuel Pomeroy (R-KS) introduces S. Res. 180, a constitutional amendment: “The basis of suffrage in the United States shall be that of citizenship, and all native
As Congress debates the nation’s postwar reconstruction, Senator Samuel Pomeroy (R-KS) introduces S. Res. 180, a constitutional amendment: “The basis of suffrage in the United States shall be that of citizenship, and all native
or naturalized citizens shall enjoy the same rights and privileges of the elective franchise….” Three days later, the Senate agrees to let Pomeroy’s bill “lie upon the table.”
January 10, 1878Sargent Proposes Amending Constitution
Senator Aaron Sargent (R-CA) introduces S.Res. 12, providing for woman suffrage: "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."
Senator Aaron Sargent (R-CA) introduces S.Res. 12, providing for woman suffrage: "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."
The Senate refers the so-called Susan B. Anthony Amendment to the Committee on Privileges and Elections. The following day, suffragists testify for the first time before senators on the issue of woman suffrage.
June 14, 1878Committee Receives 30,000 Petitions
The Committee on Privileges and Elections, after reviewing 30,000 petitions requesting a woman suffrage amendment, recommends that consideration of the issue be "indefinitely postponed."
The Committee on Privileges and Elections, after reviewing 30,000 petitions requesting a woman suffrage amendment, recommends that consideration of the issue be "indefinitely postponed."
January 9, 1882 Senate Forms Woman Suffrage Committee
Senators approve a resolution introduced by George Hoar (R-MA) to establish a Select Committee on Woman Suffrage, 35-23.
Senators approve a resolution introduced by George Hoar (R-MA) to establish a Select Committee on Woman Suffrage, 35-23.
June 5, 1882 Committee Recommends Suffrage Amendment
For the first time in Senate history, a committee submits a report to the full Senate supporting a woman suffrage amendment to the Constitution.
For the first time in Senate history, a committee submits a report to the full Senate supporting a woman suffrage amendment to the Constitution.
January 25, 1887 Senate Defeats Woman Suffrage Amendment, 16-34
In February 1886 the Senate Select Committee on Woman Suffrage favorably reports the Susan B. Anthony Amendment to the full Senate. Nearly a year later, after much prodding by Henry Blair (R-NH), the Senate holds
In February 1886 the Senate Select Committee on Woman Suffrage favorably reports the Susan B. Anthony Amendment to the full Senate. Nearly a year later, after much prodding by Henry Blair (R-NH), the Senate holds
its first vote on the proposal, which suffers a lopsided defeat.
March 4, 1908 Suffragists Invade Capitol, Lawmakers Tremble
Dozens of suffragists, including spouses and daughters of members of Congress, lobby senators in the Marble Room, a meeting space near the Senate Chamber. Their presence in the Capitol had become an annual tradition,
Dozens of suffragists, including spouses and daughters of members of Congress, lobby senators in the Marble Room, a meeting space near the Senate Chamber. Their presence in the Capitol had become an annual tradition,
organized in conjunction with the yearly meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in Washington, D.C.
March 3, 1913 Senators Investigate Parade Chaos
At the first national woman suffrage parade held in Washington, D.C., spectators assault marching suffragists. A subsequent Senate investigation of the incidents of that day, which draws upon dozens of eyewitness accounts,
At the first national woman suffrage parade held in Washington, D.C., spectators assault marching suffragists. A subsequent Senate investigation of the incidents of that day, which draws upon dozens of eyewitness accounts,
concludes that “uniformed and…special police acted with more or less indifference while on duty.”
June 24, 1913 Belle La Follette, Senate Spouse, testifies
Belle La Follette, prominent suffragist and spouse of Senator Robert La Follette (R-WI), testifies before the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage in support of the constitutional amendment. “Ours is a government of the
Belle La Follette, prominent suffragist and spouse of Senator Robert La Follette (R-WI), testifies before the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage in support of the constitutional amendment. “Ours is a government of the
people by the people and for the people. And are not women people?”
July 31, 1913 Senators Submit Suffrage Petitions
In a carefully orchestrated event, suffragists deliver petitions with more than 75,000 signatures to senators. Suffragists call it the "Siege of the Senate." When the Senate convenes that afternoon, senators formally submit the
In a carefully orchestrated event, suffragists deliver petitions with more than 75,000 signatures to senators. Suffragists call it the "Siege of the Senate." When the Senate convenes that afternoon, senators formally submit the
petitions for committee referral.
March 19, 1914 Senate Defeats Suffrage Amendment
For the second time in its history, the Senate holds a vote on a constitutional amendment to extend suffrage to women. The measure falls 11 votes short of the constitutionally required two-thirds of senators present and voting,
For the second time in its history, the Senate holds a vote on a constitutional amendment to extend suffrage to women. The measure falls 11 votes short of the constitutionally required two-thirds of senators present and voting,
35-34.
May 3, 1917 Alice Hay Wadsworth, Senate Spouse, Testifies
Alice Hay Wadsworth, wife of Senator James Wadsworth, Jr., (R-NY), and president of the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage, testifies before the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage.
Alice Hay Wadsworth, wife of Senator James Wadsworth, Jr., (R-NY), and president of the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage, testifies before the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage.
September 30, 1918 President Wilson Addresses Senate
Only the third president to address the U.S. Senate in the Senate Chamber, Woodrow Wilson, a converted suffragist, pleads with senators to immediately pass the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, which had been approved by the
Only the third president to address the U.S. Senate in the Senate Chamber, Woodrow Wilson, a converted suffragist, pleads with senators to immediately pass the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, which had been approved by the
House of Representatives in January 1918.
October 1, 1918 Suffrage Amendment Falls Two Votes Short
The Senate fails to approve the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, falling two votes short, 53-31. Five weeks later, in the midterm election of 1918, Democrats lose their majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The Senate fails to approve the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, falling two votes short, 53-31. Five weeks later, in the midterm election of 1918, Democrats lose their majorities in both chambers of Congress.
February 10, 1919 Senate Defeats Suffrage Amendment
The Senate fails to approve the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, falling one vote short of the necessary two-thirds present and voting, with a vote of 55-29.
The Senate fails to approve the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, falling one vote short of the necessary two-thirds present and voting, with a vote of 55-29.
June 4, 1919 Senate Approves Nineteenth Amendment
August 6, 1965 Senate Approves Voting Rights Act
Four decades after passage of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, President Johnson signs into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which had been passed by Congress two days earlier.
August 6, 1965 Senate Approves Voting Rights Act
Four decades after passage of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, President Johnson signs into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which had been passed by Congress two days earlier.
The goal of extending voting rights to all women had remained elusive, as some states continued to disenfranchise African American women and men well into the mid-20th century. The Voting Rights Act provides enforcement mechanisms to protect voting rights under the provisions of
the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments to the Constitution.
Now, having read this, can anyone explain to me why Liberals are up in arms? Saying Susan B Anthony was racist?
Seems to me that she was fighting for All women to vote. It wasn't her that made certain states decide to disenfranchise Blacks or anyone else
Seems to me that she was fighting for All women to vote. It wasn't her that made certain states decide to disenfranchise Blacks or anyone else
@threadreaderapp unroll please!
