Women’s right to vote was achieved through a long and hard-fought struggle that is not yet over. This past election marks the 99th year since women in America voted in a federal election for the first time.

One hundred years ago, on November 1, 1919, California ratified the 19th Amendment. Having passed Congress earlier that year, California was one of 36 states needed to seal the deal. It took nine more months—and grassroots campaigns across the country—to reach the magic number needed for ratification. Finally, on August 26, 1920, with the necessary states having voted to ratify, the secretary of state certified the 19th Amendment into law.

“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” became enshrined in our constitution.

On November 2, 1920 more than eight million women voted for the first time. It took more than six decades for the remaining 12 states to ratify the 19th Amendment; a fact that is emblematic of the continuing struggle for women’s rights in this country.

To this day hundreds of thousands of women in this country, mostly women of color, are still de facto disenfranchised. Our work is not done.

This coming year the League of Women Voters will celebrate its centennial on February 14, 2020. Our local chapter of the League, in coordination with other local chapters, state and national, has launched its planning for a year of events and programing to commemorate the fight our fore mothers and sisters fought and to celebrate their work.

We invite you to join us in our celebration and in our efforts. We are planning community events, educational programs, and doing what the League does best, educating and empowering voters.

During this centennial year of the League, we also remember the women that we left behind in our victories and pledge to work with them and on their behalf, to make the next hundred years better for more of us.

To quote Stacey Abrams, a voting rights advocate from Georgia working hard to make elections free and fair throughout the country, “Democracy only works when we work for it; when we fight for. When we demand it.”

Join the League of Women Voters of the Mt.Baldy Area in this work and exercise your right to help create a more perfect democracy.

Rachel Forester

Amanda Hollis-Brusky

Centennial Committee Co-Chairs

League of Women Voters of the Mt. Baldy Area