Journey to the Vote

Journey to the vote

copy of 15th amendment

Ida B. Wells

15th Amendment

The year 2020 marks anniversaries for two Constitutional Amendments. February 3^rd, 2020 will mark the 150^th anniversary of the 15^th Amendment granting African American men the right to vote. August 18, 2020 will be the 100^th anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment recognizing women’s right to vote.

In recognition of these anniversaries, several WKU departments and community organizations are working together to offer a variety of programs.

We will highlight various aspects of race, gender and citizenship as we look at the “Journey to the Vote” and participation in American political life through a series of speakers, panels, events, and exhibits. Topics are wide-ranging and include the passage of the 15^th Amendment, and the 19^th Amendment, as well as the continued disenfranchisement of men and women of color after both Amendments’ ratification.

2019

March 2019

March 28- Free Book Giveaway* of The Woman's Hour by Elaine Weiss at Warren County Public Library's Main Branch. Books will be given on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. For more information, visit Warren County Public Library.

March 29- Free Book Giveaway* of The Woman's Hour by Elaine Weiss at Warren County Public Library's Bob Kirby Branch. Books will be given on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. For more information, visit Warren County Public Library.

April 2019

April 11 6-7PM Warren County Public Library's Book Discussion featuring The Woman's Hour, by Elaine Weiss. Discussion led by Holly Hedden. Location: Main Library. For more information, contact hollyh@warrenpl.org or visit Warren County Public Library.

April 30 7PM Elaine Weiss author of The Woman's Hour. Free public presentation. Swipeable for WKU students. Program made possible by Boyd Lubker Foundation and WKU Sisterhood. Location: Downing Student Union auditorium.

June 2019

June 4th 2PM Journey to the Vote Kick-Off. Join us, Mayor Wilkerson and the BG City Council for a proclamation signing, remarks, light refreshments and an overview of upcoming programming. June 4th marks the100^th anniversary of 19^th Amendment's passage by Congress. Thirty-six states would have to ratify the amendment before it would become law. Location: Kentucky Room, KY Museum. More information.

September 2019

September 16 3:15-4:15PM "Suffrage for All"- Dr. Saundra Ardrey and Tyneshia Carter. Join us for a lively discussion of universal suffrage. Why have so many - poor white men, Black men, women and young people all fought for the right to vote? Has it made a difference? Swipeable for students. Location: KY Museum.

September 24 5-6PM "Put a Woman in Charge" - panel discussion featuring current and former local and state female office holders. Panelists include: Dana Beasley Brown, Melinda Hill, Patti Minter, Patsy Sloan and Elaine Walker. Swipeable for students. Location: KY Museum.

November 2019

November 14 6:30-7:30PM "Suffrage for All"- Dr. Saundra Ardrey and Tyneshia Carter. Join us for a lively discussion of universal suffrage. Why have so many - poor white men, Black men, women and young people all fought for the right to vote? Has it made a difference. Sponsored by the Warren County Public Library. Location: Parker Bennett Community Center.

2020

February 2020

February 8 Herstory, a free afternoon of activities for girls in grades 1-8 and their families. Elements include a costume contest, autograph parties with local women, and WKU departments with hands-on activities. Location: KY Building. Time: 12PM-4PM. For more information, visit Herstory@WKU event website.

February 27 4PM Gender Images Film Series--Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice. Presented by Dr. Dorothea Browder, History. Film documents the dramatic life and turbulent times of the pioneering African American journalist, activist, suffragist and anti-lynching crusader of the post-Reconstruction period. Location: Cherry Hall 125.

March 2020

Dr. Saundra Ardrey will lead a Washington, DC, Selma, and Montgomery, AL "Suffrage Trail" based Study Away trip. If you interested, please reach out now to Dr. Ardrey at Saundra.Ardrey@wku.edu. Tentative itinerary.

March TBD. Presentation on leading suffragists in KY, organized by Jonathan Jeffrey, Department of Library Special Collections. Location: KY Building.

March 25 5:30PM Gender Images Film Serie s--On the Basis of Sex. Presented by Dr. Victoria Gordon, Political Science. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination.Location: Cherry Hall 125

April 2020

April 23 5PM Gender Images Film Series--Iron Jaw Angles. Presented by Dr. Patti Minter, History and State Representative. Fiery American suffragette Alice Paul lights a fire under the older women's leaders in Washington DC. President Wilson refuses to give all women the vote, but Paul is prepared to go to prison for her cause. Location: Warren County Public Library Main Branch.

Seat at the Table: Kentucky Women in Office opens at the KY Museum. Poster exhibit featuring 11 women. Location: KY Museum. Date/Time TBD.

Political Bandwagon: Kentucky Women This exhibit will feature artifacts and memorabilia related to women's experiences in the political life of the state: the passage of the 19th Amendment, running for office and more. Location: KY Museum. Date/Time TBD.

July 2020

July 1 The Department of Library Special Collections will open their exhibit Also Ran. Location: Jackson Gallery of the KY Building. This exhibit runs through December 15, 2020.

August 2020

August 18 is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the legislation on August 18, 1920.