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“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” was penned in “The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments” and signed in 1848 at the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, N.Y., organized to amplify the need for women’s suffrage. The fight to win the vote for American women finally produced the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920 and officially signed on Aug. 26, 1920. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professors Carolina Rocha, PhD, in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature and director of the Women’s Studies program; and Laurie Rice, PhD, in the Department of Political Science and coordinator of the Civic Education Project at SIUE, will delve into the history of the women’s vote and its importance during a Zoom presentation, hosted by the SIUE’s Women’s Studies program, at noon Friday, Sept. 4. Prior to the meeting, people can view the film, “Iron-Jawed Angels,” which chronicles the efforts of the women’s suffrage movement and will be discussed as part of the Zoom presentation. To request access to the film, email siuewmst@gmail.com. 

“The Women’s Studies program aims to educate about women’s societal contributions” said Rocha. “Those contributions are often the untold stories of women of different classes, races, and ethnicities, and issues of uneven power as a result of gender, sex and sexuality. Thus, this anniversary constitutes a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the arduous process of women’s enfranchisement in the United States, a process that brought together several generations of women from all walks of life.” 

“Voting is essential in a democracy like ours, yet many people take their right to vote for granted,” said Rice. “Celebrating the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment gives us an opportunity to reflect on the hard work it took to get where we are today, and appreciate just how far we have come.  

“The women who fought to make women’s suffrage a reality were told that they should be content with letting men decide for them, that they couldn’t be trusted with the vote, and that women didn’t have a mind for politics. As a female political scientist, I’m thankful they fought those battles, so I can stand where I am today.” 

“The crucial ramification of the Nineteenth Amendment was allowing women to exercise their political rights and have a voice in the body politic,” added Rocha. “The right to vote gives us the opportunity to choose representatives and participate in the passing of laws that affect our daily lives. The Women’s Studies program invites students to think critically about political and cultural developments, to work to expand social justice, and to fight against all types of discrimination. Knowing about this significant chapter of American history, students can make informed decisions about the upcoming elections and their roles as citizens and activists.”

Photo:
L-R: Carolina Rocha, PhD, Women’s Studies program director and professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature; and Laurie Rice, PhD, professor in the Department of Political Science and coordinator of the Civic Education Project at SIUE.