The Right to Vote

It's Tuesday so stop by Two Writing Teachers to join tonight's link-up and conversation.  There's something about moving from blog to blog to savor the little stories that make us smile.  

Dorotha Mae Stough Millikan
1894-1976
My great grandmother would have been 25 years old when women first obtained the right to vote.  I like to imagine what it must have been like to vote for the first time.

On Sunday, I took my youngest daughter to our county board of elections office to vote before returning to college.  She had come home to visit for the second time since the semester began.  She had realized it might be possible to vote before leaving.  We filled the car more winter clothing, a few meals-to-go, and other items she might need in the coming weeks.  We then headed to the polling location.

This was her first time to vote, and she was quite excited.  She had studied the ballot.  She had looked up information on candidates.  She was ready to head to the office.  Thankfully we found the office open and taking voters.  Cassie handed them her identification information and headed to the voting table.  In our small county, voting is a bit like completing a multiple choice test as ballots are still paper with a fill in the circle format.  As we left the election office, we chatted about the right to vote.


via WikiMedia Commons
New York Times photo
(taken 1917)
shared by Mr. Gustafson
I've voted in most every election since I was old enough to vote.  Somehow I have always felt I owed it to the women who fought for my right to vote.  I also have always felt it was important to try to have some kind of voice in the decisions that would impact me.   There are many women around the world who do not have this same right.  There are many people around the world who do not have this same right.

Though advertising and dollars have become a big part of American politics, we must continue to go to the polls and vote.  I'd like to think my great grandmother would be happy to know her great great granddaughter is exercising her constitutional rights to vote.

Here are a few sites I found interesting about women and the right to vote:



Comments

  1. I love this and couldn't agree more. When I lived in Houston, I got teary watching new Americans line up around the block to make sure they voted. When people are lackadaisical about voting, I want to shout "But YOU HAVE TO!" I always tell my kids that voting is their way of getting their voice heard and one vote is more than many people in other countries gets.

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  2. I think that the right for every American citizen to vote is one we have to fight for even today...especially today. Thanks for sharing your story and those links.

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  3. I was brought up by a grandmother who told me of her first time to vote, Cathy, & I've never forgotten. It's so important that we stand up and be counted, and for our own children, as you have. I'm writing late, so have to say I'm disappointed in our results in Colorado this year, but I'll try to help more next time.

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  5. What a great experience for you and Cassie. I often wonder what our great grandmothers would think about all that women have accomplished because they were brave and stood up for their rights back then. Thanks for sharing this story. I'm sure it's one that Cassie will always remember.

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