Washington women’s suffrage centennial

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation – Part 11

November 8, 2010 Secretary of State's Office

Image courtesy of Washington State Archives In 1889, Congress passed the Enabling Act, which “enabled” Washington to draft a state constitution and request admission to the Union. During the Washington State Constitutional Convention, women petitioned the delegates to include women’s suffrage in the new state constitution. The issue was presented to the voters as a separate amendment on the ballot. In the ensuing vote, 16,527 voters voted to include the amendment granting women the right to vote, but 34,613 voted…

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation – Part 8

October 6, 2010 Secretary of State's Office

It was 1883. Following the Wyoming and Utah territories’ lead, the Washington Territorial Legislature passed a law enacting women’s suffrage. Territorial Governor William Newell signed the bill into law on November 23, 1883. Here is a picture of the enlightened man himself!

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation – Part 6

September 3, 2010 Secretary of State's Office

The year was 1878. In hope of qualifying Washington for statehood, a Constitutional Convention was held in Walla Walla to draft a state constitution (which Congress failed to ratify). A separate measure granting women to vote was put on the ballot, but it was rejected by a three-to-one margin of all-male voters.

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation – Part 5

August 30, 2010 Secretary of State's Office

1877. Indicating a widely held belief that women owned a “sphere” of authority in the realm of home and family, Washington’s Territorial Legislature granted tax-paying women the right to vote in school elections. One firmly planted step forward…

Here is this year’s Voters’ Pamphlet cover

August 26, 2010 Secretary of State's Office

Even though voters won’t be receiving their copy for several weeks, we thought you’d like to see the cover for the State Voters’ Pamphlet for the 2010 General Election. The cover honors the centennial of women’s suffrage in Washington. Our office is planning an event in November to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this monumental occasion. In honor of the centennial, we’ve helped create a year-long exhibit entitled MOVING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK: Washington’s First Women in Government. Depending on the…

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