Today marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Earlier today, President Trump held a press conference with members of the bipartisan Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. During the press conference, President Trump surprised everyone by announcing he would be pardoning women's rights icon, Susan B. Anthony.
President @realDonaldTrump announces he will sign a posthumous pardon for Susan B. Anthony#19thAmendment pic.twitter.com/mxBF5idgWc
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 18, 2020
In the White House's official proclamation celebrating the milestone, the President wrote:
In the early days of our Nation’s fight for independence, future First Lady Abigail Adams penned a letter to her husband, John Adams, urging him to “remember the ladies” as he fought to preserve the fledgling United States. She advised him that “if particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” In the decades that followed, bold trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Forten Purvis, and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper carried forward and fought for the fundamental right of women to vote. The road to suffrage was long and challenging, but the faith, fortitude, and resolute determination of those committed to this noble cause brought about a victory that continues to inspire today.
As we commemorate this historic event, we also celebrate the incredible economic, political, and social contributions women have made to our Nation. As President, I am committed to building on these accomplishments and empowering all women and girls to achieve their fullest potential.
The road to enfranchising women was a long one that stretched more than a century:
One hundred years ago today, women gained the right to vote via the #19thAmendment. Why didn’t the Constitution grant women suffrage? And how did the suffragists obtain the right to vote? @TheHRH, Chairman of @IWF and CEO of @IWV, explores the history of the Nineteenth Amendment. pic.twitter.com/RoQGjtSWrj
— Federalist Society (@FedSoc) August 18, 2020
Prominent Republicans joined the President in celebrating the milestone:
The ratification of the #19thAmendment ushered in a new era of civic participation. Honored to represent the birthplace of Elizabeth Cady Stanton — one of the most important voices in the fight for women’s suffrage. #WomensVote100 pic.twitter.com/UJOSsUfW69
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) August 18, 2020
Today we honor those Americans who spent decades in relentless pursuit of equality. Women have played a critical role in shaping our country, and we’re going to keep at it! pic.twitter.com/oKmD114GYn
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) August 18, 2020
Today we celebrate 100 years since the #19thAmendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote. #WomensVote100 pic.twitter.com/gvOfMdG6Pr
— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) August 18, 2020
Today marks 100 years since women gained the right to vote! I sat down with @ChuckGrassley to talk about his mother who was one of the first women to vote in both Iowa and the nation! #19thAmendment pic.twitter.com/Oe780otDJM
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) August 18, 2020
Women have played a crucial role in the success of the United States. Today, we celebrate the positive impact that the Nineteenth Amendment has had on our country and the bright futures of American women who are empowered to play an active role in the political process because of it!