LWV’s 95th birthday program to look at African-American Women’s Suffrage Reality

The establishment of the League of Women Voters and the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote occurred in 1920. These 2 events brought to a close the 72 year hard-fought, often violent, battle for women’s suffrage during which women were beaten and jailed for any efforts they made to promote their cause for voting rights.

LWV Marion has arranged for a special 95th Birthday commemoration to take place Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 5:45 p.m. at the Harding Home, 380 Mt. Vernon Avenue, the residence of Warren G. Harding, the first U.S. President that women could vote for.

This event is open to the public, but with the limited seating, reservations must be made by contacting 740-389-5356 or [email protected].

LWVM asked Sherry Hall, Harding Home Presidential Site Manager, to do a presentation on some aspect of the Women’s Suffrage movement.

The following is Hall’s description of the presentation she will give on May 21, The Reality of the 19th Amendment: African-American Women and Suffrage.

“The long-fought battle for women’s suffrage in America ended with all women gaining the right to vote in 1920. Women finally could help govern the country via their votes – theoretically. African-American women lived a different type of reality, and their march to suffrage did not mirror their white counterparts. Harding Home Presidential Site Manager Sherry Hall takes a look at the role of race as it permeated the women’s suffrage movement.”

Marion’s League, which is coincidentally celebrating its 65th Birthday this year, is actively seeking new members. League is best known for its voter education and the unbiased information it provides the public on political issues and candidates at election times. The group is politically nonpartisan and encourages informed and active participation in government at all levels—local, state and national.

Membership in the League is open to all women and men who are citizens of voting age.

For information on becoming a member, or for more information about the May 21 LWV 95th Birthday event, call Jo Ann Radwin-Zimmerman, 740-389-5795 or [email protected].