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#RightfullyHers

The National Archives commemorates the centennial of the 19th Amendment’s ratification with Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote.  

Discover the untold stories of the suffragists behind the movement for women's voting rights through National Archives records, educational materials and downloadable posters, a virtual exhibit, and a curator-led online tour.


FEATURED RECORDS

THE EXHIBIT

MORE RECORDS

If women want any rights more than they's got, why don't they just take them, and not be talking about it.

-Sojourner Truth

TRAVELING EXHIBITION

TRAVEL EXHIBIT DATES AND LOCATIONSSuffragettes bonfire and posters at the White House, Washington, D.C. , 1918

This pop-up display contains simple messages exploring the sometimes complex history of the 19th Amendment’s ratification, women’s voting rights before and after the 19th amendment, and its impact today. You can download high-resolution poster and flyer versions here:

The best protection any woman can have ... is courage.

-Elizabeth Cady Stanton

I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me, there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality.

-Alice Paul

CLASSROOM RESOURCES

Gendered “Voting Machine” Patent, August 10, 1910Postcard from the Georgia Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage"The Lady and the Tiger" political cartoon by Clifford Berryman, November 7, 1917Nineteenth Amendment, June 4, 1919Universal Suffrage Petition, January 29, 1866
HONORARY COMMITTEERightfully Hers Printable Flyer Page 1 (12.6 MB)Rightfully Hers Printable Flyer Page 2 (2.6 MB)Rightfully Hers Printable Flyer Page 3 (11.3 MB)Rightfully Hers Printable Flyer Page 4 (11.1 MB)
Political cartoonist Clifford Berryman portrays the Mississippi rejection as an April Fool’s joke on supporters for woman suffrage.

FEATURED RECORDS

Mark-up copy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, June 20, 1963
Torch relay from Seneca Falls, New York to Houston, Texas, 1977
Willa Beatrice Brown serves her country by training pilots for the U.S. Army Air Forces,, CA, 1942
Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa playing a flute, 1993.ROAD TO RATIFICATION

After Congress passed the 19th Amendment, it needed ratification from three-fourths of the states. Follow along as we commemorate each state's ratification story and take you through the road to ratification. 

We invited students in grades 4, 5 and 6 to compete in our Rightfully Yours Youth Art Competition. Students were asked to create an original piece of artwork that answers the question: "What does the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote mean to you and your community?" 

LEARN MORE

Maggie and Robert Boroujerdi

A discussion with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library director, Alan Price, to explore the life of the 35th President of the United States and the documents that tell the story of his time in the White House. The program will give viewers a chance to see the museum in Boston, explore the legacy of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and some of their upcoming plans for the women's suffrage anniversary and beyond.

Presidential Library Series:

JFK Library 

August 18, 5pm ET

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Join a discussion with authors Rebecca Roberts and Lucinda Robb as they preview their upcoming book, "The Suffragist Playbook: Your Guide to Changing the World." The two lifelong friends seek to inspire young activists with the stories of the women who fought and won the right to vote along with smart tactics to help them make their own mark.

National Archives Family Program

 August 26, 1pm ET

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Join a book lecture with Dr. Martha S. Jones, Society of Black Alumni Presidential Scholar and Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University, as she discusses her forthcoming book, "Vanguard How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All." The discussion will be moderated by A’Lelia Bundles, American journalist, news producer, author, and National Archives Foundation Board Member.

"Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers"

 August 26, 6pm ET

Join Dorothy Dougherty, Programs Director at the National Archives at New York City, as she moderates discussions with suffragists Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, and Sojourner Truth. Each woman will speak on her life, times, and involvement in the struggle for equality and justice.



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Journalist, abolitionist, and suffragist Ida B. Wells speaks on her life and the impact that African American women had in the fight for women’s rights before and after the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Following the presentation, join A’Lelia Bundles in a special conversation with Ida B. Wells’ great-granddaughter Michelle Duster.

Ida B. Wells Program and Discussion

 August 27, 1pm ET

100 Years Later:

Women in Charge of the Ballot Box

 August 27, 5pm ET

Join Secretaries of State for a conversation on the important role they play in the election process and the continued struggle for women’s rights. The program will include Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee (R), Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman (R), and New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way (D). This program is hosted in collaboration with the National Association of Secretaries of State.

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One Half of the People: Advancing Equality for Women

One Half of the People is a nationwide traveling exhibition exploring the stories of women’s struggles to achieve full citizenship.

"The Suffragist Playbook:

  Your Guide to Changing the World"

  August 25, 1pm ET

"19: The Musical"

  August 25, 5pm ET

19: The Musical, tells the story of Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, Inez Milholland and the suffragists who fought to secure the right to vote for women through the 19th Amendment. Join the writers Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw, on August 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET for a discussion and video presentation of past performances.

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The exhibit is can also be found as part of Google Arts & Culture. Learn more about the exhibit at your own speed and find out how women won the right to vote, what voting rights struggles persist, and much more.

VISIT GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE

DOCSTEACH

Throughout the initiative, educational materials for students and teachers will be made available, including specialized teaching activities for school visits in DC, distance learning programs for high school students and teachers, and professional development webinars for educators. Curated lesson plans and curriculum will be disseminated through partners and on the National Archives’ DocsTeach.org.

VISIT DOCSTEACH

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

VIEW PROGRAMVIEW PROGRAMVIEW PROGRAMVIEW PROGRAMVIEW PROGRAMVIEW PROGRAM

The Suffragist Playbook: Your Guide to Changing the World

19: The Musical

19th Amendment Family Program

Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers

Ida B. Wells Program & Discussion

100 Years Later: Women in Charge of the Ballot Box

YOUTH ART COMPETITION

Rightfully Hers Pop-up Poster Page 1 (45 MB)Rightfully Hers Pop-up Poster Page 2 (12 MB)Rightfully Hers Pop-up Poster Page 3 (19 MB)Rightfully Hers Pop-up Poster Page 4 (13 MB)