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To the Editor:
On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” With this vote, Tennessee became the 36th — and deciding — state to ratify the Amendment. Then on August 26, 1920, the amendment officially became part of the Constitution, making full citizenship a reality for American women.
On August 13, 2020, the Elizabethton City Council passed a resolution honoring the Amendment’s centennial, and on August 17, the County Commission did the same. We commend both bodies for recognizing this historic anniversary, Tennessee’s key role in the expansion of liberty, and the many years of work and political discussion given by state and local women (and men) leading up to the vote.
We treasure our opportunities to participate politically in our city, county, state, and nation. We commend all citizens who participate, but especially women who hold elected and appointed public office, who recognize and encourage others to vote, and who educate themselves as voters.
Thank you for commemorating 100 years of equal suffrage!

Patricia Buck
CC Democratic Women’s Club