Capito Highlights 85th Anniversary Of Women's Right To Vote

Capito Highlights 85th Anniversary Of Women's Right To Vote
7/19/2005

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the upcoming 85th anniversary of the women's right to vote.

During the first women's rights convention that took place in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton said, ``We are assembled to protest against a form of government existing without the consent of the governed to declare our right to be free as man is free, to be represented in the government which we are taxed to support.''

Elizabeth Cady Stanton's words marked the beginning of what we now know as the Women's Suffragist Movement. Seventy-two long and hard fought years after that speech, the 19th amendment was written into our country's Constitution. August 26, 2005, marks the 85th anniversary of that right.

In February of 1920, in my home State of West Virginia, the legislature met in special session and was lobbied heavily by the State's suffragettes. On March 10, 1920, the House passed the amendment by a 15 to 14 vote. The State senate made West Virginia the 35th of the 36 States needed to ratify the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting that I stand here to honor and remember those women and men who petitioned, picketed, and demonstrated, even some in spite of being jailed and disgraced, for the sake of women's rights to be equal in the eyes of our government. Had it not been for the bravery and conviction of many important women that preceded us, I would not be standing here today.

Women's voices are heard loud and clear at the ballot box, and we will never forget the value of our vote.

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=17&whichone=sr