Washington was the 5th state to grant women full suffrage – 10 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified! Often, people are not aware that some states had granted women suffrage long before the 19th Amendment. When you look at this map of suffrage in the United States, women suffrage in America was a convoluted effort to be sure. By 1920, 17 states had granted full suffrage, 8 still had not granted any suffrage, 8 had granted presidential suffrage and 7 had granted school, bond or tax suffrage, only. There were other variations, as well, including primary and municipal suffrage in some cities.

To be celebrating a centennial of woman suffrage is a celebration, to be sure! The Washington Women’s History Consortium’s Exhibit, Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices, does just that.  The exhibit is co-curated by the Washington State Historical Society, the Women’s History Consortium and the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. The exhibit is scheduled (subject to change) to move as follows:

• Washington State History Museum: Wed Feb 28, 2009 through Sun Sept 27, 2009
• Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center: Sat Oct 24, 2009 through Sun Jan 10, 2010
• Yakima Valley Museum: Thurs Feb 11, 2010 through Sun Jun 20, 2010
• Museum of History & Industry, Seattle Sat Jul 17, 2010 through Sun Oct 3, 2010
• Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Sat Oct 30, 2010 through Sun Jun 26, 2011

To help with the celebration, the Washington State Historical Society website hosts a wealth of information, including classroom lesson plans.