August 6, 1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 We…
Suffrage Centennial Celebrations
Gender on the Ballot Team
| Aug 18, 2020
This August marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave some women the right to vote. As we remember the hard-fought battle which many women are still fighting today, we also celebrate the progress women have made over the last hundred years. Commemorate the anniversary with these digital events, important reads, and additional resources.
Events
The New York Times has commissioned “Finish the Fight,” a new production in which the acclaimed playwright Ming Peiffer and a cast of celebrated actresses bring to theatrical life the biographies of lesser-known activists who helped to win voting rights for women. “Finish the Fight” premieres at 7 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, August 18, and the performance is available for free to viewers who R.S.V.P. in advance.
Building the Movement: America’s Youth Celebrate 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage
The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and the White House will reveal an exhibit honoring the centennial. Launching on August 24th, the digital exhibit will showcase artwork by young Americans.
What to read
The 19th in 2020, Vice
100 years ago, American women gained the right to vote. Yet today, many women and non-binary people in the U.S.—and around the world—still aren’t counted at the polls. Check out Vice’s new suffrage series to read more about the issues facing women voters at the ballot box today.
Battle for the Ballot, The Washington Post
The Washington Post has a new series about the long struggle for suffrage, featuring ten stories that explore how women fought for and won the right to vote 100 years ago.
The Unfinished Work Of The 19th Amendment, HuffPost
A century after the 19th Amendment was ratified, many women are still fighting to protect the right to vote. HuffPost spoke to nine of these modern-day suffragists about their fight to vote.
Other resources
Looking to find local events in your state? Check out the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission’s state toolkits for a list of digital celebrations in your area.
2020 Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative
Looking to immerse yourself in centennial celebrations? The Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative has everything you need, from suffrage quizzes and games to reading recommendations and events.
The Smithsonian, Library of Congress, and the National Archives have been celebrating suffrage all month with a 19-day social media campaign. You can find stories about women’s voting rights using their hashtag #19SuffrageStories, and check out the full stories (and more) on their website.
The Hamilton hotel in Washington D.C., in partnership with the Freedom Forum and the Newseum, created a suite themed around women’s suffrage. Visit the hotel’s site to virtually explore the suffrage history and artifacts (including items provided by BLFF).
