From invisible to decisive: it was the long road to the women’s vote in the United States

Women's vote is emerging as a decisive factor in the next presidential election in the United States. (pictorial image infobae)
Women’s vote is emerging as a decisive factor in the next presidential election in the United States. (pictorial image infobae)

since seven days presidential election a new one survey of University of Massachusetts Amherst Highlights a key aspect of the US electoral landscape: women voteThe survey conducted between 11 and 16 October revealed that the Vice President kamala harris enjoys significant support among womenWith an advantage of 50% compared to 43% who supported the former President. Donald Trump,

Tatish NetetaProfessor of political science In umass amherst And the survey director reported that gender The role of a candidate is important in his popularity. “This is only the second time in American history that a women of one important match have the opportunity to reach PresidencyIt is not surprising that many women see in harris Representative of their interests and hopes,” Nteta said.

but even further democratic candidacyHe women voteToday is a decisive day for election resultsrepresents a long history of struggles that culminated in the approval 19th amendment In 1920, one of the most notable stories of Perseverance And determination looking for equal rights,

This battle, which officially began in 1848 Seneca Falls Conventionlasted more than seven decades and was marked by a series of strategies, sacrifice And divisions within the movement, but also by Victory that changed the landscape political Of the country.

The fight for women's suffrage in America ended with the 19th Amendment in 1920. (Reuters/Erin Scott)
The fight for women’s suffrage in America ended with the 19th Amendment in 1920. (Reuters/Erin Scott)

On July 19 and 20, 1848, a group of women Anything else men they met seneca fallsNew York, to celebrate the first conference About this women’s rights In usaled by celebrities like Elizabeth Cady Stanton And Lucretia MottThis was the formal starting point of the conference suffrage movement,

The most important document that came out of this meeting was “declaration of feelings”, which is inspired by the Declaration of Independencedemanded civil, social and political rights For womenThe most controversial of these was right to vote,

path from this statement 19th amendment It was full of challenges. During the next decades, women organized from all parts of the country franchise unioncreated annual conferenceAnd the leaders of the movement started using it media To attract public attention. However, tensions within the movement, particularly over inclusion African American womenRevealed divisions that will complicate the fight.

Although the movement suffragist fought for rights everyone’s womenWas not always inclusive. many leaders white as the suffrage movement Stanton And Susan B. AnthonyThey did not always strongly defend the rights of their comrades. African AmericanDespite this, black women They organized their own unions and made significant contributions to the fight vote,

Wyoming granted women the right to vote in 1890, making it notable in the history of women's suffrage. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts)
Wyoming granted women the right to vote in 1890, making it notable in the history of women’s suffrage. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts)

There was an outstanding figure in this regard Mary Church TerrellA African American workers fought for civil rights and this women’s suffrageIn a 1908 speech, Terrell highlighted the importance of participation of Frederick Douglassone of the greatest defenders of racial equality and gender, in movement suffragist,

douglas He was not only a prominent ally, but he also used his platform to support the cause womenShowing that fight for suffrage Couldn’t separate myself from the fight racial justice,

as the fight for vote Strategies used by advanced, suffrage They became more diverse and inventive. Efforts were made to achieve this goal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. women vote Involved Campaign At state and national level. Wyoming became the first state to give right to vote for women in the 1890s, and in the decades that followed, for other states usa They followed his example.

However, it was during First World War When the movement got new momentum. many women played leading roles in economy During the war, what broke stereotypes about their capabilities and helped the public reconsider their opposition women’s suffrage,

The 19th Amendment was approved on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920. (Reuters/Caitlin Ochs)
The 19th Amendment was approved on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920. (Reuters/Caitlin Ochs)

demonstrated in front of white Houseorganized by activists such as alice paul And this “silent franchise“, attracted the attention of media, Paulwho learned radical tactics British franchisewas arrested in 1917 and led hunger strike While he was imprisoned, which brought even more attention to the issue.

The press played an important role in this phase of the movement. media coverage of hunger strike and this protests in front of white House generated sympathy for suffrageDue to which there was pressure on the government to consider their demands. women started using the principles of democracy he president Woodrow Wilson promoted the war, arguing that if the United States fought democracy Abroad, he had to guarantee the same at home.

The decisive moment came on June 4, 1919, when Congress Has agreed to 19th amendment till Constitutionwho gave women He right to voteFor this amendment to be adopted it was necessary that it be approved by three quarters of the state legislature,

tennessee On August 18, 1920, it became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, thereby ensuring its incorporation. ConstitutionOn 26 August 1920 19th amendment officially promulgated, which guaranteed that women He right to vote Throughout the United States.

Vice President Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in female support, 50% to 43%. (AP/Wilfredo Lee)
Vice President Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in female support, 50% to 43%. (AP/Wilfredo Lee)

However, the movement won suffragist It was not holistic. however Amendment put a stop to gender discrimination In votes, a lot African American women, latinas, Asian And Poor continued to face obstacles in voting due to voter suppression law Which was present in many states. it won’t happen until civil rights movement In the 1960s when these women would gain full access urn,

way of women vote In the United States it was long and complicated, but it laid the foundation for women will continue to fight for Equality In other areas. suffrage He not only won right to voteBut he also demonstrated that, when women They organize and persevere, they can change the course of history.

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