(Morristown) – On this day, August 18th in 1920, Tennessee became the 36th State to ratify and propose the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote. In the 90 years since its ratification, women have made great strides in American history and society. For instance, a total of 260 women have been elected to Congress, including Hattie Carraway who was the first female Senator in 1932.
This tradition continues today. In 2009, a record number of women were in the 111th Congress, 17 in the Senate and 74 in the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court now has 3 women justices, another first. In addition, women continue to start and run successful corporations and businesses.
Asked about the anniversary, Douglas Herbert, the Democratic candidate for Congress said, “We should not only remember the great victory won 90 years ago, but also push forward on the more recent victories for women like the Equal Pay Act in 1963, Title IX in 1972, and the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which passed just this year.”
