WHEREAS, although both men and women worked together to build our great Nation, the fundamental right to have a voice in government was not allotted to women in the United States for over a century; and
WHEREAS, the decades-long fight for women’s right to vote began on July 19, 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention, the first convention on women’s rights. Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the convention inspired Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, and others to join the cause for women’s rights; and
WHEREAS, in 1878, California Senator Aaron Sargent introduced a resolution known as the Susan B. Anthony amendment to the U.S. Constitution to give women the right to vote. It did not pass, but was introduced annually for the next forty years; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 1919, the United States Congress voted in favor of this amendment, and it was subsequently ratified by the states on August 18, 1920. This marked the culmination of a generations-long fight by the women of this country to attain the right to participate in our democracy; and
WHEREAS, women in Alaska and our nation were making a difference long before the passage of this amendment and since then, have voted, volunteered on campaigns, run for office, and served our communities, State, and Nation. Today, more women than ever are serving our country in political roles and continue to contribute substantially to the success of America; and
WHEREAS, on this day, the 100th anniversary of passage by Congress, we celebrate the progress that has been made toward securing women’s full participation in our electoral process, and renew our commitment to securing equal rights, freedoms, and opportunities for women.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim June 4, 2019 as:
Women’s Suffrage Day
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the full value of women’s significant contributions to our state and Nation and to celebrate the first century of women’s right to vote by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities.
