House Republican Women Honor Nineteenth Amendment Centennial

OKLAHOMA CITY – The women of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus today released a joint statement in recognition of the 100^th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote:

“August 18, 1920, was the culmination of a decades-long campaign to overturn the unjust and undemocratic system that purposefully excluded women from voting since our nation’s founding. This year, we celebrate the centennial of this historic moment and reflect on the achievements of the trail-blazing suffragists who fought earnestly to secure the right to vote for American women.

While women in Oklahoma and many other states had already obtained the right to vote by 1920, the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment represents the single largest expansion of democracy the world had seen.

This major step toward democracy was achieved only by the tireless work of thousands of women and volunteers. From holding suffrage meetings in their hometowns to crossing the country rallying support for the cause, they each made tremendous personal sacrifices to further the movement of women’s suffrage. They faced rejection and ridicule to advocate for freedom, liberty and a more democratic society.

The tenacious, bold spirit of the suffragettes is the very embodiment of the values we all hold dear. As a result of their efforts, they not only won the right to vote for generations of American women, but they shaped the very future of our country.

We recognize that we are here today, serving our constituents in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, thanks to the work done by our ancestors in pursuit of a more representative government and the opportunity to have their voices heard.”

The above statement was signed by all 12 women in the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus. In alphabetical order, the members issuing the statement include:

• Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
• Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
• Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle
• Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Yukon
• Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
• Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin
• Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
• Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
• Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
• Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
• Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
• House Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma Constitutional Convention of 1906 granted women the right to vote only in school elections. In 1917, the 6^th Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to authorize a referendum on women’s suffrage.

On Nov. 5, 1918, Oklahoma became the 21^st state to give women the right to vote after voters approved the constitutional amendment with a vote of 106,909 to 81,481.

Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment in June 1919. On Feb. 28, 1920, Oklahoma’s 7^th Legislature adopted House Joint Resolution 1 in a special session, making the state 33^rd to ratify the amendment.

The Nineteenth Amendment received its 36^th ratification from Tennessee on Aug. 18, 1920, ensuring that the right to vote could not be denied based on sex.