Today is the hundredth anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing white women the right to vote. That seems like an alarmingly short time; at the same time, all women weren’t guaranteed the right for another 50 years:
Among those necessary laws were the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 and the adoption of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the 24th Amendment in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965, along with its amendments of 1970 and 1975.
As that Times editorial goes on to say, “In other words, the 19th Amendment was one step in a long, racially fraught battle for voting rights that seemed secure a few decades ago but face a grave threat today.”
Every time I vote, I think, “People have literally been beaten and arrested so I can do this.” Don’t let anyone take it away. Get your ballots in early.