Each year, on August 26, we celebrate the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the U.S. and its states from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex thereby recognizing the right of women to vote.

1878 is the first time an amendment in support of women's suffrage was introduced in Congress. If it had passed, it would have been the 16th amendment… Instead, it took 41 more years and the tenacity of some of history's most acclaimed activists before the 19th Amendment was passed by both houses of Congress in 1919.

The Women Who Changed it all

Dating back to the beginning of the 1800s, women were already organizing, petitioning, and picketing trying to win the right to vote, but it would still take them decades to accomplish their purpose. There are a few remarkable women activists that fought hard for these rights, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott.

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony is America's foremost suffragette. She and Elizabeth Cady Stanton worked tirelessly for women's rights, including presenting the first version of a suffrage amendment to Congress in 1878. If it had passed, it would have been the 16th amendment and Susan B. Anthony would have been alive to see the fruits of her labor. Unfortunately, she died in 1906, before the fruits of her labor were finally born. It took another 14 years until congress passed what is officially the 19th Amendment.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was also a very strong advocate for women's equality in the post-Civil War era. In 1851 the two quickly began collaboration on speeches, articles, and books. Her partnership with Susan B. Anthony proved to be the backbone of a decades-long effort to push through women's rights legislation. Elizabeth Cady Stanton also passed away before the adoption of the 19th Amendment.

Lucretia Mott

Lucretia Mott was a co-author of the Declaration of Sentiment and was an early feminist activist and strong advocate for ending slavery. A powerful speaker, she dedicated her life to speaking out against racial and gender injustice. She was one of the first women who organized a gathering focused on woman’s rights and became a major inspiration to Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Continue Uniting America

One of the many beautiful things about America is the freedom that is associated with it. We’ve come a long way and fought the hard fights and should always continue to do better and remember what we’ve built here. The best way to show your pride and share your love of America is to fly your American Flag with us as we continue to push forward in our freedom, unity, and patriotism!