August 26 marked the 99th anniversary of the #19thamendment’s ratification.

The Amendment states, “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,” and was the result of 72-years of suffragist organizing and sacrifice, and in the end tremendous betrayal and marginalization of the African American suffragists. And while the amendment is thought to have allowed everyone to vote, that is a myth. For example, many people of color were not considered citizens so were not entitled to vote until as recently as 1962 when Indigenous people were granted citizenship on their own land.

As a white woman, I experience what could have been a joyous milestone with a heavy heart. The passage of the amendment was at once remarkable and despicable.

Led by the League of Women Voters of Vermont, a group of 50+ organizations and individuals has been gathering since last September to plan commemoration of this milestone, address the history of oppression endemic to the suffrage movement, and highlight the work yet to be done on voting rights for all U.S. citizens.

Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance (a coalition of 50+ orgs) launched a website a few months ago: vtsuffrage2020.org; and a Facebook page more recently: VTSuffrage2020.