A Long Fought for Right

Last night I saw the movie "Iron-Jawed Angels" which portrayed the women's suffragist movement in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century. I was inspired by these women who protested for their right to vote in front of the White House and were jailed for obstructing traffic.They suffered police brutality, imprisonment and hunger strikes to demand justice. They were willing to die for their belief in equal rights. The 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was passed on August 18, 1920.

Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony was one of the women who fought for this right. When she voted illegally in 1876, she  was imprisoned. She did not live to see the 19th Amendment passed. This month some women are putting "I voted" stickers on her tombstone to pay tribute to her.

I wonder if people today appreciate how long and hard these women fought for that right. We take it for granted and many will not vote for one reason or another. We ought not take this privilege lightly. It is the foundation of our democracy and capstone of our freedom. On Nov. 8, I hope both women and men will take seriously the right to vote in honor of these women who refused to accept an unfair law.


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