[Women's Studies] [Tennessee]

CALL FOR WOMEN VOTERS' CONVENTION. [caption title] Offered with, CALL TO THE THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE TENNESSEE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND CONFERENCE OF WOMEN. [caption title]

NP: nd [1920s]. Tennessee women's suffrage, two items, including two printed announcements from the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Association and the Tennessee Women Voters League, shortly after the enactment of the 19th federal amendment. No listings found on OCLC.
The first document, with the caption title "Call for Women Voters' Convention," is a reproduced typescript, a single sheet, 28 cm., 1 p., announcing that "[t]he final annual convention of the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Association and the first convention of the Tennessee Women Voters League will be held May 18 and 19 [1921] at Nashville in the Capitol." It references the "early ratification of the nineteenth federal amendment [and] the new responsibilities of citizenship confront[ing] us...." Signed in type by Mrs. George Fort Milton, President Tennessee Woman Suffrage Association; Mrs. Eugene Crutcher, President Mothers Congress and Parent-Teachers Association; Mrs. Minnie Allison Welch, President Tenessee Woman's Christian Temperance Union; Mrs. John L. Meek, President Tennessee Federation of Music Clubs; Miss Mary Boyce Temple, Regent-Elect Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution; and Mrs. Charles W. Baker, President Tennessee Press and Authors Club. Two short, closed tears at margins, slightly affecting a letter of two.
The second item is a printed announcement of the Third Annual Convention of the Tennessee League of Women Voters to be held on January 30-31 [1923], at the Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. 28 cm., 1 p. Shallow chipping around edges, lightly soiled. The organization called for delegates from its affiliated and associate members to attend the convention: "We are entering the third year of our citizenship. The woman power is recognized and respected. A marvelous opportunity is ours to present a united front to our law-making body...." Signed in type by Mrs. John M. Kenny, President; Mrs. George Fort Milton, Honarary [sic] President; Mrs. Marc Anthony, First Vice President; Mrs. Jas. H. Anderson, Second Vice President; Mrs. James A. Robbins, Secretary; Mrs. D.T. Kimbrough, Treasurer; and 30 other members names. Item #66243

In August 1920 Tennessee became the pivotal final state, the 36th needed to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, making it federal law: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex." Tennessee women played a vital role in the passage of the amendment, including Abby Crawford Milton, a suffragist, and graduate of the Chattanooga College of Law, Anne Dallas Dudley, and Catherine Talty Kenny. According to local lore, the amendment passed the Tennessee Senate, but stalled in the House until Harry T. Burn, with a note of encouragement from his mother in his pocket, changed his vote to yes.

Price: $375.00