Knox County Democrats celebrate anniversary of women's right to vote

A century ago, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was certified, giving women the right to vote for the first time.

The Knox County Democratic Women will hold a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 26 celebrating the anniversary.

The Women’s Equality Day event will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Public Square.

“I thought it was important that Knox County recognize Women’s Equality Day,” Mary Chapa, president of the group, told the Mount Vernon News. “I’m hoping to make it an annual event for Knox County. I think it’s important to reiterate that we fought for the right to vote and we should use that right. It’s important.”

This year, the right to vote is especially important because of the national election, Chapa said.

Speakers will include Chapa, Mount Vernon City Councilwoman Julia Warga, Gambier's First Lady, Rev. Rachel Kessler, candidate for state representative Steve Mount and congressional candidate Quentin Potter.

“We will have some music by local musicians, Courtney DeCosky and Jami Ingledue,” Chapa said. “It will just be a one-hour event.”

Organizers want participants to wear white, the historical color of support for the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Voting registration will also be offered. The group encourages social distancing and wearing masks.

More information can be found on the Knox County Democratic Women's Facebook page.

The battle for women's suffrage in the United States was a lengthy one, stretching back to 1848 when women convened at Seneca Falls, N.Y. and by a narrow margin, adopted a resolution supporting the right to vote, according to History.com. In August of 1920, the Tennessee legislature ratified the amendment, giving it the 36 states needed to become law. That was 72 years after the Seneca Falls convention.

U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on Aug. 26 and that November, more than 8 million women voted in the presidential election, according to History.com.