August 18th marks 100th anniversary of a historic feat for American women
Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory practices, clearing the path for all women to cast a ballot
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Tuesday marked the 100th anniversary of a historic feat for American women.
On August 18th, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote.
Women spent decades organizing, educating, lobbying, marching, and fighting for this right.
Thanks to one Wisconsin woman’s persistence, our state led the way in ratifying the amendment.
“One of the young members, young suffragists, Ada James, got her father to actually hand-deliver Wisconsin’s ratification papers to Washington D.C. So we are the first state to have officially ratified the 19th Amendment. That’s something to be pretty proud of,” said Mary Nugent, La Crosse Area League of Women President.
Ada James was a member of the League of Women Voters, which formed in February of 1920.
The amendment was signed into law on August 26th, 1920.
It’s important to note that not all women had the right to vote in 1920.
The 19th Amendment primarily enabled white women to vote.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory practices, clearing the path for all women to cast a ballot.
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