Civic leader and philanthropist Bill Gates Sr. and veteran publisher Wilfred Woods are big-name draws for this year’s Medal of Merit ceremonies at the Capitol next Wednesday, but two heroines of the women’s suffrage movement will be honored posthumously as well. Both women led trailblazing lives and helped earn women the right to vote in Washington about 100 years ago.

Before 1910, women in Washington didn’t have the right to vote. After the Legislature authorized the proposed amendment in 1909 to grant women this key right, Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton led the successful campaign for its ratification the following year. In fact, voters approved the amendment by a wide margin. DeVoe lived in Western Washington and eventually became heavily involved in the Republican Party. Hutton lived in Spokane and joined the Democratic Party. During the 1909-10 ratification campaign, DeVoe and Hutton disagreed on tactics and eventually split into separate camps. But they were able to reach their ultimate goal. Hutton died in 1915 and DeVoe passed away in 1927…

A lot has happened since women were given the right to vote in Washington nearly a century ago. Our state is renowned for having a large number of female elected leaders at the federal and state levels. When the centennial of this key event in state history occurs next year, all voters throughout Washington should thank May Arkwright Hutton and Emma Smith DeVoe for their efforts to help bring equality on one of our fundamental rights as citizens.

As for the two recipients who will be on hand Feb. 11, many might think of Gates as the father of that guy who helped turn Microsoft into a household name. But his own resume is very impressive and extensive, and he has made a positive impact in the Seattle area. And Woods, the retired publisher of the Wenatchee World, is highly regarded among media and throughout north-central Washington for his philanthropic and civic work.