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The Path to 36: Ratifying the 19th Amendment
The Path to 36: Ratifying the 19th Amendment
What if following your mother’s advice changed the course of history? For one lawmaker in Tennessee, that’s exactly what happened.
What if following your mother’s advice changed the course of history? For one lawmaker in Tennessee, that’s exactly what happened.
Published March 3, 2020
When the 19th Amendment finally passed in Congress on June 4, 1919, it was a win, but the fight for suffrage was still not over. In order to become the law of the land, three-fourths of the then 48 state legislatures would need to vote to ratify the amendment.
When the 19th Amendment finally passed in Congress on June 4, 1919, it was a win, but the fight for suffrage was still not over. In order to become the law of the land, three-fourths of the then 48 state legislatures would need to vote to ratify the amendment.
By the end of 1919, 22 states had ratified the 19th Amendment. By March 22, 1920, the number stood at 35. Eight states had rejected the amendment by the end of March and all eyes were on the handful of states left. Only one more was needed to give women across the United States the right to vote in every election.
By the end of 1919, 22 states had ratified the 19th Amendment. By March 22, 1920, the number stood at 35. Eight states had rejected the amendment by the end of March and all eyes were on the handful of states left. Only one more was needed to give women across the United States the right to vote in every election.
On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee State Legislature was deadlocked. The motion was made to table the amendment.
On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee State Legislature was deadlocked. The motion was made to table the amendment.
Harry Burn was only 24 and was the youngest member of the state legislature. He wore a red rose, signaling his opposition to the amendment, but the rose on his chest didn’t mirror the content of the letter in his pocket. It was from his mother, reminding him to “be a good boy” and “vote for Suffrage.” With the final vote, Harry changed his position, voting “Aye” and ending the deadlock. He explained his decision in the House Journal. “I knew that a mother's advice is always safest for a boy to follow and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification.”
Harry Burn was only 24 and was the youngest member of the state legislature. He wore a red rose, signaling his opposition to the amendment, but the rose on his chest didn’t mirror the content of the letter in his pocket. It was from his mother, reminding him to “be a good boy” and “vote for Suffrage.” With the final vote, Harry changed his position, voting “Aye” and ending the deadlock. He explained his decision in the House Journal. “I knew that a mother's advice is always safest for a boy to follow and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification.”
On November 2, 1920, 8 million women took advantage of the right to make their voices heard by exercising their right to vote. One hundred years later, women’s voices continue to make a difference in the path our country takes, thanks to the hard work of suffragists who fought from 1848 to that fateful August day in 1920.
On November 2, 1920, 8 million women took advantage of the right to make their voices heard by exercising their right to vote. One hundred years later, women’s voices continue to make a difference in the path our country takes, thanks to the hard work of suffragists who fought from 1848 to that fateful August day in 1920.