The Nineteenth Amendment & Women's Rights

The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits each state and the federal government from denying any citizen the right to vote because of that citizen's sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.

It states that:

"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.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

The fight for women's suffrage represents one of the most main struggles of women, because denying them representation in government gave a very clear message that they were second class citizens. Women's suffrage has become a very popular compaign over the past 250 years. However, it did take a very long time to work its way up the list to become a dominant issue.

In the First World War large numbers of women started becoming laborers. They discovered that their work outside the home was now valued. Meanwhile, large numbers of men were killed and wounded in battle.

In the years between the wars, women continued to fight discrimination and opposition to women's rights.

The Second World War was extremely liberating for women, since most working-age men were away from their homes and jobs. Large numbers of women contributed to life aside from homemaking as a result of the educational and employment opportunities that opened to them. The popular icon Rosie the Riveter became a symbol for a generation of working women!