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.
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