Celebrating a century of suffrage

Celebrating a century of suffrage

This month, Arkansas celebrates 100 years of the women’s right to vote. Although the 19th amendment was not ratified until 1920, Arkansas lead the way among Southern states by becoming the first to allow women to vote in the primaries.

Many of us celebrated the vote on the steps of the Capitol by dressing in “suffragists” period outfits and recreating the historic photo take on the very same steps in February of 1917 .

The discussion of suffrage among lawmakers in our state began as early as reconstruction. The voices of opposition began just as quickly.

Arkansas Historical Quarterly cites the following: In 1868 during the Constitutional Convention, one man was quoted saying “women’s enfranchisement would create conflict of interest between husband and would create revolutions in families.” The whole question of suffrage was soon tabled.

Attempts to give women access to the ballot were made in 1891, 1893, 1899, and 1911. All of these efforts failed.

In February 1888, the Suffrage Association in Little Rock the association began with 13 members. One of the members described them as 'few in numbers we can influence poor in person but valiant in spirit' Then on February 7, 1917, Rep. John Riggs of Hot Springs introduced a bill which gave women the right to vote in primary elections.

The House Journal tells us this was sent to the Judiciary Committee and days later made its way to the House floor.

An article later published in the Arkansas Galleries said quote: “The suffrage call had been made, spectators filled the galleries.. many of whom were women.”

The House voted 71-19 on Feb 16. Later the Senate approved the measure 17-15. We made history by becoming the first non-suffrage state in the union to grant women this right.

Two years later Governor Brough would call a special session to ratify the 19th amendment. Arkansas became the 12th state in the Union to ratify.

Our state’s suffrage history is unique. Over the course of the next two years, Arkansans will have numerous opportunities to learn more about it as we lead up to the centennial of the ratification of the 19th amendment.

The UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture (CAHC) announced the opening of a new virtual exhibit titled “Arkansas Women’s Suffrage Centennial”.

The exhibit, ualrexhibits.org/suffrage, features essays on topics such as the interplay of the temperance and suffrage movements, the evolution of women’s fashion at the turn of the 20th century, arguments from antisuffragists, and an extensive media gallery including historic documents and photographs depicting the women’s suffrage movement in Arkansas.

From State Representative Deborah Ferguson