19TH AMENDMENT IS RATIFIED
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and deciding state to ratify the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The United States Constitution requires two-thirds of the states to ratify a proposed amendment before it can become law.
With one vote left to be cast, passage in the Tennessee legislature was deadlocked. Up stepped Harry T. Burn**. His single vote enfranchised 27 million American women.
Burn explained the reason for his vote. He carried a letter he had received before the voting from his mother Febb Burn***. She had advised him to vote for woman suffrage.
The letter reads...
"Dear Son,
...Hurrah and vote for suffrage and don't keep them in doubt. I've been watching to see how you stood but have not seen anything yet..don't forget to be a good boy and help.....
With Lots of Love, Mama."
*19th Amendment (1920) 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.
**Harry T. Burn (1895-1977) was born in Niota, TN & served in the TN House of Representatives 1918-1922 & TN Senate 1948-1952.
***Febb Ensminger Burn (1873-1945) graduated from U.S. Grant University (TN Wesleyan) & became a teacher.
SOURCES
"Burn Memorial", Suffrage Coalition, www.suffragecoalition.org/
"The Burn Memorial", Knoxville, Tennessee.
Burn Memorial
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photos by John White
August 18 2018
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and deciding state to ratify the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The United States Constitution requires two-thirds of the states to ratify a proposed amendment before it can become law.
With one vote left to be cast, passage in the Tennessee legislature was deadlocked. Up stepped Harry T. Burn**. His single vote enfranchised 27 million American women.
Burn explained the reason for his vote. He carried a letter he had received before the voting from his mother Febb Burn***. She had advised him to vote for woman suffrage.
The letter reads...
"Dear Son,
...Hurrah and vote for suffrage and don't keep them in doubt. I've been watching to see how you stood but have not seen anything yet..don't forget to be a good boy and help.....
With Lots of Love, Mama."
*19th Amendment (1920) 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.
**Harry T. Burn (1895-1977) was born in Niota, TN & served in the TN House of Representatives 1918-1922 & TN Senate 1948-1952.
***Febb Ensminger Burn (1873-1945) graduated from U.S. Grant University (TN Wesleyan) & became a teacher.
SOURCES
"Burn Memorial", Suffrage Coalition, www.suffragecoalition.org/
"The Burn Memorial", Knoxville, Tennessee.
Burn Memorial
Knoxville, Tennessee
Photos by John White
August 18 2018
