Centennial celebration

"The politicians used to ask why we wanted to vote. They seemed to think we want to do something particular with it, something we were not telling about. They did not understand that women wanted to help improve the general welfare of the people." — Carrie Chapman Catt, April, 1919

Carrie Chapman Catt founded the League of Women Voters of the U.S. on February 14, 1920, during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The League began as a "mighty political experiment" designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. It encouraged them to use their new power to participate in shaping public policy. It was then, and is now, a nonpartisan organization. League founders believed that maintaining a nonpartisan stance would protect the fledgling organization from becoming mired in the party politics of the day. However, League members were encouraged to be political themselves, by educating citizens about, and lobbying for, government and social reform legislation. 

This still holds true today. The League does not support or oppose candidates or political parties at any level of government. 

The League of Women Voters is celebrating our history by taking action for the future. Our founders achieved the seemingly impossible by getting the 19th Amendment passed 100 years ago, so today we honor their fight by continuing to push our democracy forward so that every voter can play a critical role in shaping our country.

"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."

               — 19th Amendment, United States Constitution

The 19th Amendment was passed by the U.S. Congress on June 4, 1919, and sent for ratification to the states. It was ratified by Tennessee, the 36th and last state needed, on August 18, 1920, and officially adopted on August 26, 1920 — a date now celebrated annually as Women's Equality Day. The fight for women's suffrage had taken over 70 years since the Declaration of Sentiments, which called for equality between the sexes and a resolution for women's suffrage, was signed by 68 women and 32 men at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.

New territories and states, particularly in the West, started to grant women the right to vote in the late 1800s. Wyoming was the first state to enact full suffrage for women in 1869. Other states followed, including California, in 1911. By the late 1890s, however, the momentum had shifted to passing a national amendment while continuing the fight at the state and local level.

Three generations of dedicated suffragists waged the 72-year battle to pass the 19th Amendment. Many who had started the movement were no longer alive when success came. During this landmark 100th anniversary year, we will honor and celebrate the suffragists (women and men) who had the courage and determination to ensure that women were able to vote and to capture their power as citizens.

How Women Got the Vote, a Quiz by Keith Williams was published in the New York Times on June 4, 2019, the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment by the US Congress. Test your knowledge!