The Right to Vote

I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love. (W. E. B. Du Bois)

Did you vote last week? I’m not going to talk politics here. I don’t particularly like to talk politics anywhere. But I do vote. Every election. I’ve missed voting once since I have been old enough to vote. And that was because we only had one car at the time and my husband didn’t come home in time for me to get to the polls. I was not happy! The polling place was only about a mile away, but walking was out of the question since I had two small children. But if I had been crazy enough to try walking with them, that would have really impressed on them how I believed a person should vote.

I have voted in many, many elections since. Sometimes a presidential election. Sometimes for state or local candidates. But before 1920, a woman could not have voted here in Kentucky in general elections. Some states were more forward thinking and  gave women the right to vote before the 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified but those were few and far between. Women had to fight for the right to cast a vote.

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 above amendment granting women the right to vote was passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920.

Now women no longer have to fight to be recognized as an equal citizen here in the United States. Young women with doors of opportunities wide open in front of them probably have a hard time believing that women have had the right to vote in elections here in America for less than one hundred years.

Women owe much to those early suffragettes who stepped out into the streets and demanded to be given the basic right to vote. It took decades but the suffragettes continued the fight. And now, I have the right to walk into a polling place and cast my vote. That’s no guarantee that those I vote for will win. In America, majority rules and once the election is final, we pray for those who won to lead our nation, our states and our communities in the best way possible. And if we don’t like what they do, we have another election down the road where we can once again exercise our right to vote. I feel blessed to be a citizen of the United States and able to exercise my right to vote.

I believe with all my heart that America remains ‘the great idea’ that inspires the world. It is a privilege to be born here. It is an honor to become a citizen here. It is a gift to raise your family here, to vote here, and to live here. (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

Adria, one of my main characters in my recent release, River to Redemption, was ready to fight for the abolition of slavery but also for women’s rights. She was a bit ahead of her times in the 1840’s but some brave women were already demanding their rights. I’m sure Adria continued the fight with them.  You can still grab the e-book for $1.99 at Amazon today, but that sale price might disappear soon.

As always, thanks for reading.