Community members ring bells in celebration of the 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) The sounds of celebration rang throughout La Crosse on Wednesday.

The League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area, city leaders, and community members are commemorating 100 years since the 19th Amendment was officially signed into law, giving women the right to vote.

In front of the ‘Blue Baby’ egg sculpture outside of City Hall, Mayor Tim Kabat and representatives of the La Crosse County Board gave a proclamation recognizing this historic day.

Then, in the same way women did 100 years ago, they rang bells in celebration.

Several area churches, synagogues, and mosques also took part in the bell ringing to show their support.

Women spent decades organizing, educating, lobbying, marching, and fighting for this right; empowering women to break down the barriers holding them back.

“It was the start of awareness, the start of women being aware that they have power, that they can make a change,” said Mary Nugent, President of the LWV La Crosse Area.

The League of Women Voters, which formed in February of 1920, is celebrating its centennial as well.

Bell ringing events like this are happened throughout the state on Wednesday.

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.

To register to vote and request an absentee ballot, click here.

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