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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2020)
Weekend of February 1-2, 2020 A11 The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com GOP women mark anniversary of 19th Amendment Current legislators share their thoughts on importance of women’s suffrage in Oregon On Jan. 14, 1920, Oregon became the 25th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, extending equal suffrage to women across the nation. Tennessee was the final state to ratify the 19th Amendment, on Aug. 19, 1920. Though Oregon granted suffrage to women in 1912, the ratification of the 19th Amendment is a monumen- tal event in the history of the United States, Oregon Republicans said in a state- ment issued Tuesday. Members of Oregon House Republican Caucus shared their thoughts on what Oregon’s ratification of the 19th Amendment means to them: House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby): “A few years ago I chose to be a stay at home mom; now I am a state rep- resentative—normal stuff for an increasing number of women and their families. My life has been a gift to be able to choose service and possibility, but this normal life was not normal for my grandma or great-grandma. “Celebrating the ratifica- tion of the 19th Amendment is an opportunity to recog- nize the herculean effort that others undertook, which has allowed me to approach my life with opti- mism and confidence. “Commemorating this day, like so many other milestones in our na- tion’s history, gives us the opportunity to be thankful for those who worked for progress while acknowledging the areas in which that progress was incomplete. “I am grateful that I have the right to vote on matters which impact my family, community, state and na- tion. With this right to vote has come increasing oppor- tunity through the years. But this opportunity, which has had a hundred years to develop for me and my daughter, is not celebrating its first century of progress for others. “Women’s suffrage was not in fact a victory for all women, as women of color continued to face obstacles to voting and were not guar- anteed the right to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This fact is stunning in its immediacy. When I think of women’s suffrage I picture black and white photos of generations long since past, but for women of color this achievement is vivid still, lived in full color, just a generation prior. “As I commemorate the day that for me and many women is so meaningful, I recognize those whose citizenship was not granted full voice with mine, and for whom, because of this, as- sured access to opportunity is not yet fully realized.” Representative Raquel Moore-Green (R-Salem): “As a child I was taught that the single most important civic involvement is that of voting. A privilege obtained through the ultimate sac- rifice of human life. What could be more precious? This centennial helps re- mind us of the unique privi- lege ALL Americans have to vote, and that a determined group of women and men can make a lasting impact on history.” Representative Sherrie Sprenger (R-Scio): “Bringing more voices to the table is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to politics. More perspectives, ideas and backgrounds lead to better laws and a stronger society. 100 years ago, the Oregon Legislature — which included only one woman — voted to extend voting rights to women nationwide. While we celebrate women today, we cannot forget the men who agreed that the state and nation would be better with more voices at the table.” Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville): “As we reflect on the last 100 years in Oregon, there are many improvements we have made as a society. One of the greatest is ratifying the 19th Amendment, which today allows every woman who is an American citizen to vote in our elections. Since that small step, we have witnessed great women participate in elections, serve as elected officials and make changes to our great state. Ladies like Secretary of State Bev Clarno have inspired me along my path and I am excited to be serving as an elected official in Oregon alongside many intelligent and dedicated women.” Representative Cheri Helt (R-Bend): “As a daugh- ter, wife, business owner, mother of two daughters and state representative, I take seriously the duty to vote in elections and to represent the communi- ty that elected me on the House Floor. I am proud to stand on the shoulders of the brave women who fought to ensure that our voices and votes are heard and counted.” Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany): “Rural America has always valued women as important and equal. In fact, Montana voters had elected the first woman to Congress before congressional approval of a national suffrage amend- ment to the Constitution. I’m proud to have grown up on a family farm and community that valued me, regardless of me being female. As a mother of three daughters, I will continue to be grateful for the strong women that came before me and endeavor to continue that legacy.” Murray Wade’s political cartoon appeared in the Salem Capital Journal January 17, 1920. Sylvia Thompson was State Representative for The Dalles and the only woman serving in the legislature at that time. She introduced the 19th Amendment ratification bill in the special session held 100 years ago this month. Women’s Ratification considered With “From Radical Idea to Ratification: Women’s Voting Rights,” the Old Courthouse Regional History Forum Series for 2020 starts this Saturday, Feb. 1, at the 1859 Courthouse Building, 410 W. Second Place, The Dalles. Programs begin at 1:30 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom. The old courthouse is behind the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Center at the west side of downtown. Speaker Janice Dilg is principal of a historical consulting firm and state coordinator for an online resource for the 2020 centennial of the 19th Amendment which extended voting rights to women. She will tell the story of Sylvia Thompson (D-The Dalles) who introduced the bill ratifying the amendment in the 1920 special session. $ WIN 1000 K ids & s n e e T AND OTHER CASH BONUSES 57th Annual Hood River News Subscription Campaign has joined The Dalles Chronicle for a bigger chance to win! Kids can sell in both communities! 1 st place $1000 HOW: up at Hood River News or The Dalles Chronicle* 2 nd place $500 1. Sign River News or The Dalles Chronicle times are: Wed, Feb 19th thru Fri.,Feb 21 until 3 rd place $250 Hood 5:30p.m. and Sat, Feb 22 from 10-1 p.m. in Hood River and 2-5p.m. in The Dalles. Runners up(2) $150 2. Call friends & family - and sign them up for a subscription! 811 E. 2ND STREET, THE DALLES, OR 97058 419 STATE STREET, HOOD RIVER OR 97031 Must be ages 10-16. In addition, this year’s contest includes cash awards for top sales performance by the kids to go to their school libraries. *Sign up at The Hood River News or The Dalles Chronicle starting: Wed, Feb 19th thru Fri., Feb. 21 until 5:30p.m. or Sat., Feb 22 from 10-1 p.m. in Hood River and 2-5p.m. in The Dalles. We will provide campaign rules and sales books to get your started selling. We will also take your picture for the ad that will appear in the newspaper. If you can’t make it any of those days, bring us a photo before then or email one to us at tlindsey@hoodrivernews.com. Please be sure to include your name and phone number on the email and put “Kids Campaign” in the subject line. If you have any other questions call Tanya Lindsey 541-993-9319. Mon-Fri 9a.m.-5p.m. or email tlindsey@hoodrivernews.com. 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