One hundred years ago on August 18, 1920, after a tireless
72-year fight, the 19th Amendment was ratified,
guaranteeing all women in America the right to vote.
♫ ♫ ♫ [jazz music]
...Well it didn't guarantee it, but at least said it was
the legal right of women.
♫ ♫ ♫ [jazz music]
So, all women across the country in every state could now vote...
well only some women...
Mostly, upper and middle class white women...
who wanted to and didn't think it would ruin their family
and go against their core beliefs about womanhood or
put them in danger.
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So, the 19th Amendment gave some women the right to vote.
Ah well...men gave some women the right to vote.
White men.
Some of them finally decided to permit
their wives, daughters, and sisters a voice in the democracy.
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Technically, the 19th Amendment doesn't permit anything.
It denies the 72-year fight for Women's Suffrage one: a denial.
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The 19th Amendment says that the right to vote cannot be denied
to citizens of the United States on the account of sex.
To our ancestors:
We see you, we embrace you, we are inspired, we are offended.
We are not done.
♫ ♫ ♫ [jazz music]
This is a celebration, this is a laying bear,
this is a call to action.
A party can be a rally.
A march can be a dance.
May the bridges I burn light my path.
All aboard, let's play.
♫ ♫ ♫ [jazz music]