During the Reynolds Administration, Emily Robinson and I began the plans for our celebration of Tennessee’s Role in the passage of the 19th Amendment at the Hermitage Hotel. Due to Covid-19 and the new government guidelines for Nashville we will be making changes to those plans to bring the celebration to you as shared in today’s note by State First Regent and event co-chair Emily Robinson. In Service, Cecile
The passing of the 19th Amendment, giving American women the constitutional right to vote, was truly a pivotal moment in our country, and Tennessee holds a historic place in the many years it took to achieve suffrage for women. As the thirty-sixth and final state to ratify the proposed amendment, Tennessee ensured that women would have an equal voice in our government.
TSDAR planned to mark this significant event on August 16, 2020, with a celebration at the Hermitage Hotel, which served as the headquarters for both the “Suffs” and the “Antis” as the two sides fought for the votes of the Tennessee Legislature. It is with regret that we announce that this in-person event has had to be cancelled for the safety of our members and because of increased COVID-19 restrictions in Nashville. However, just as those suffragists one hundred years ago did not give up, neither will we! We are adjusting our plans, and TSDAR will hold an online event which you will be able to enjoy from your home. The online Perfect 36 Celebration will still be held in August, and the details will be coming soon on our TSDAR members website.
To help commemorate this historic event, you have the opportunity to wear a Jailed for Freedom pin. This special pin is a replica of the pin that was produced after suffragists were jailed for picketing the White House in 1917. The women wore the pin proudly, and you can too! Please visit our TSDAR Online Store and go to the State Regent Sales tab. The pins are limited, so please shop today. The TSDAR Online Store will run through July 31, with delivery planned to occur beginning in August.
Another way in which you can celebrate is with an exclusive suffrage anniversary social media frame created by TSDAR. It will come out next week, so being watching on our TSDAR Members Facebook group. Also, don’t forget to plant yellow roses, a beautiful symbol of the suffrage movement which will remind us for many seasons of our voting rights and the generations of struggle that culminated in victory.
We are all having to make changes and alter many of our plans this year, but as usual, our Tennessee Daughters are up to the task. Let’s commemorate this great achievement in democracy together in this Season of Service to God, Home, and Country. Emily
