This month marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. The discussion of this historic event has often included language such as “women were given the right to vote.” But it is important to remember that this was not something simply handed to them, but rather the culmination of a generations long fight to demand recognition of women’s equal status as adult citizens. The battle for women’s suffrage involved a great deal of political planning and relentless protests, alongside other social and political movements. There were missteps along the way, particularly a lack of racial inclusivity within the movement and in the application of the amendment itself; African American women, among others, were still disenfranchised decades after ratification through racist institutions such as Jim Crow laws. . . Susanna Brinton (left) and her sister, Mary, were Quaker women dedicated to the women’s suffrage movement. Writing of their accomplishments in 1924, Gilbert Cope recognized the hard fought victory they achieved with a lifetime of work: “Among those who know her, she has always stood out as a remarkable character, exemplified by her commendable independence of thought and clarity of judgement. After the winning of suffrage for women, a county celebration was held at Parkesburg. She and her sister Mary Hopkins rode in the parade, honored and acclaimed for their enthusiasm and years of loyalty to the cause of women’s rights.” . . #eachforequal #19thamendment #shallnotbedenied #19forthe19th #votesforwomen100years #womensrights #brinton #brinton1704house #westchesterpa #localhistory #quaker #historichome #museumfromhome https://www.instagram.com/p/CER2fsgDcrO/?igshid=1p6ral001773p
