Focusing a little more on history since our democratic "experiment" begun in the 1700's will be on display again next week. When our Constitution was written the concept that a Government could be run by the people and for the people was, well, revolutionary.
At first only white male landowners could vote. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution ratified in 1868 extended citizenship to everyone born in the US (including the formerly enslaved),and it authorized the federal government to punish states that violated or abridged their citizens’ right to vote among other things.
The 15th Amendment of 1870 sought to guarantee the right to vote for black men, but it wasn't until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that legal barriers to vote were outlawed at the state and local levels. This has been under challenge in the last two years under the outcries over undocumented "election fraud" which has not been proven to be as extensive as feared.
Women did not get the right to vote guaranteed until August 18, 1920 when the 19th Amendment was passed after decades of work to obtain that right beginning in the 1840's!
Women's rights have always lagged behind in the US. Until 1972, a woman could lose her job for being pregnant. Even if she was married!
1972 was a good year for women. Title IX got passed by President Nixon that says, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." There were no funds for women's college or high school organized team sports until that act was passed.
Women could not sign a mortgage or get a credit card without a male co-signer until Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which passed in 1974.
Women could be excluded or "excused" from jury duty in several states until 1979 because it was too great a burden on them.
Until 1996, state funded schools did not have to admit women! See the Supreme Court ruling & the majority opinion by RB Ginsburg.
Men could be paid more money than women for doing the same exact job until 2007 when the Lilly Ledbetter case brought about a new law.
My Father's Day Blog, "What's in A Name", addresses other issues regarding women's rights, or lack thereof, through history. In case you want to check that one again, here is the link: https://www.whoicomefrom.com/post/what-s-in-a-name
Election Day is next Tuesday (if somehow you have missed all of the campaign ads). Check your state's ID requirements before you go stand in line! Vote early and avoid the long lines if you can.
Millions of people have fought, sustained injuries, and died to protect our rights and our world admired Democracy. Let's honor their sacrifices and GO VOTE! Never take our rights for granted! That, my friends, is What's In A Vote!
Excited to get started on a new project this week! Don't forget, always a free quote and/or peek at your family history. Drop me a line and let me know how you're doing!
God Bless You and God Bless America!
Thank you,
Leslie Ryan
WhoIComeFromInfo@gmail.com
For a deeper dive into the 19th Amendment, please see this link to the History Channel website:
Still not receiving any compensation of any kind for any links or references. No copyright infringement has been intentional.