In 1921, Missouri voters passed a ballot measure amending the state constitution to allow women to hold political office. This was also the first election after the ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920, which granted (white) women the right to vote.
The ability of women’s votes to affect women’s lives revealed itself instantly, and it’s as relevant in 2016 as it was in 1920.
There is so much at stake for women in this year’s presidential election. The next president could determine the fate of reproductive rights, gun control measures, racial justice, paid family leave and the minimum wage. And for the first time since the ratification of the 19th amendment 96 years ago, Americans can choose to cast their vote for a female candidate in a presidential general election.
Women determined the outcome of the 2012 election. If there was ever a time to defend our title, it’s now.
Nobody called Susan B. Anthony a “Beyoncé voter” or implored Elizabeth Cady Stanton to bypass the polls and “get back on Tinder or Match.com.“ Granted, they couldn’t. But our women’s suffrage foremothers didn’t take shit from anybody, and we shouldn’t either.
In that spirit, here are 30 images of women voting throughout history. Get inspired, then get to the polls:
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