Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Woman's Right to Vote - What it Cost


With election day coming right around the corner, Nov. 2, 2010, I just wanted to remind all women to get out and use your right to vote, you have only had that right since the passing of the 19th Amendment on Aug. 26, 1920! 

The right for women to vote is something that was hard fought for and it is with very good reason that is was called the Suffrage Movement.




Many of our mothers and grandmothers protested outside the White House asking President Wilson when they would have liberty and the right to vote. These women were innocent and defenseless yet they were constantly arrested for, believe it or not, "obstructing sidewalk traffic."  However, once out of jail, these courageous women would return to the picket line.

Then on what would become known as "The Night of Terror," Nov. 2, 1917, thirty-three of these imprisoned women, with the blessing of the warden, were beaten senseless by 40 club wielding prison guards with many being left barely alive by the end of the night.




















They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.  When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.


President Woodrow Wilson try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized, however the doctor refused. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave, that didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished that: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'



These women worked so hard and fought with everything that they had so that we could have the privilege to vote. Please exercise that right on November 2, 2010, don't let their sacrifice be for nothing.
 
 
~ Historical information taken from About.com: Women's History by Jone Johnson Lewis; all other information is my opinion and I was not given any compensation to write this post. It was only done out of my love for this country.

13 comments:

Cheeseboy said...

Well, I'm a dude, but I will politely remind my wife to vote. Good reminder.

XmasDolly said...

Well, I'm not a dude and naturally I'm gonna vote if only to keep things going as they should. it's the patriotic thing to do. I guess ever since 9-11 I've been more political minded. I just wanted to say great - great post! Ya done good my friend, real good~!

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

Heartbreaking - wonderful reminder, though, Lorie!

Adaptable Kay said...

All I can say is wow Lorie-This really opens your eyes to what our ancestors did for us; what they sacrificed so we can have these rights.

Thank you so much for sharing this with all your readers!

Kelly and Sara said...

Everyone should vote!!!

Colette S said...

I already voted. I always remember this when I feel that I don't want to vote.

This was my first time being able to vote as a citizen of the US.

Kathleen said...

You know? With everything that is so strongly taught in school, this is never mentioned. I had no idea that the women suffered so horribly to bring us the vote. I am thankful for all they did though and vote eevery time!

Barbara's Beat said...

I need to find someone to transport me to vote soon. I hate to go on Nov 2. I want to go vote early.

~ Noelle said...

do you realize how educational your blog is?
all the info on dates and stuff
love it!!!!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

So often we forget and take advantage of the things that have been fought hard for!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

I'm heading to the polls!

It just amazes me and astounds me that people ever think it's okay to beat another human being, no mater what the cause.

Beeb said...

Isn't it crazy to think that all this was only 90 years ago? What brave women and what critical changes they helped to usher in!

Alison said...

Just wow! I don't ever remember learning about this in school. And History was 1 of 2 favorite subjects. Those women are now my heroes, and I'm going to read more about them. Strong women! Thank you so much for this post Lori! :)

This Template was custom created by Bloggy Blog Designz Copyright © 2010