Less Than 1 Week Left – Washington Women’s Suffrage Centennial Exhibit at the Washington State History Museum

By Lisa Frederiksen on September 23rd, 2009

by Lisa Frederiksen

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.

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Tags: 19th amendment, suffrage, washington women's suffrage centennial

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Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends –

Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination, the theme for 2013 Women's History Month , recognizes American women's outstanding contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We are proud to honor eighteen women whose pioneering work includes scientific breakthroughs, life-saving discoveries, invention of new technologies, creation of organizations, and the promotion of women and girls in STEM. For full description, visit our website www.nwhp.org.

A variety of information related to National Women’s History Month 2013 is available to download on our homepage www.nwhp.org where you can preview or order a copy of the 2013 Women’s History Gazette. Throughout the Gazette you will find information about women in the STEM fields. Also highlighted are many organizations and programs working to promote women's and girls’ interest and participation in STEM.

For National Women’s History Month 2013 as well as throughout the year, we invite you to explore the many women who have made extraordinary contributions to the STEM fields. We also encourage you to consider the ways in which you can promote women and girls in STEM.

Thanks for your support,

Molly Murphy MacGregor
Executive Director and Cofounder
National Women’s History Project