Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” –The 19th Amendment

This year marks the 100th anniversary of when the 19th Amendment was ratified, guaranteeing women the constitutional right to vote in the United States. The official national movement for women’s right to vote, known as women’s suffrage, began in the 1840s. It took almost a century of organizing, protesting, lobbying, and raising public awareness before the 19th Amendment was certified by the US Secretary of State on August 26, 1920. On November 2, 1920, women across the US voted in elections for the first time.

To celebrate this important movement that changed the face of voting in the United States, LA County Library is holding events across our libraries to look back at women’s suffrage and the historical figures that lead the charge to women winning the vote. Check out this event feed to find one near you.

You can also learn more about how women won the right to vote with these booklists for Children, Teens, and Adults.

Another way to carry on the legacy of women’s suffrage is to vote when possible in this year’s elections! Voting today is quite different from 100 years ago, and this year’s elections will introduce new voting experiences and technology. To see what’s changed visit the LA County Registrar/Recorder website or watch this informative video.