COLUMBUS – It has been almost 100 years since the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote and Ohio’s celebration of the anniversary will begin this summer.
Governor Mike DeWine Wednesday signed a bill creating the bipartisan Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission to raise awareness about the historical significance of the amendment and the movement that brought it about.
“It took bold reformers to fight against the status quo that only men were granted the God-given right to vote in America. I want my daughters and women from all walks of life to learn this kind of bravery and to get involved and let their voices be heard,” said state Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), who co-sponsored the bill establishing the commission with Sen. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland)
(Pictured above, left to right: Williams, Kunze, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, First Lady Fran DeWine, Senate President Larry Obhof and Gov. Mike DeWine)
Kunze and Williams joined DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, former Speaker of the House Jo Ann Davidson and Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) at the signing ceremony.
The commission, which will operate under the direction of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, will plan and carry out events and activities from this June, the 100th anniversary of Ohio’s ratification of the amendment, and August 2020, the anniversary of the date the amendment ook effect.
“What this is really about is the generation of young Ohioans — like my daughters and thousands of others — teaching them why this right is worth fighting for,” said LaRose.
In addition to LaRose, the commission will consist of one Democratic and one Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, one member from each party appointed by the Senate President, one member appointed by the Ohio Republican Party chairman and another selected by the Ohio Democratic party as well as additional members recommended by the commission.
The 19th Amendment was adopted on August 18, 1920.