Dedication and Discussion of Tennessee Woman Suffrage Monument in Nashville Tennessee

On August 18, 1920, the state House of Representatives concurred with the state Senate and ratified the 19th Amendment which granted American women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle. Tennessee became known as "The Perfect 36" since it was the last state of the then 48 states that could possibly ratify. Rep. Joseph Hanover, the Memphis (Binghampton) Independent, became the floor leader who kept the pro-suffrage votes together despite the opposition of the railroad, manufacturing and liquor interests. The Tennessee Woman Suffrage Monument in Nashville's Centennial Park pays tribute to four Tennessee suffragists and national suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt who were in Nashville during the final ratification fight. Catt, who came to Nashville and stayed at The Hermitage Hotel, was so impressed with Rep. Hanover's zealous support of woman suffrage that she asked him to be the floor leader. Bill Haltom, a retired Memphis attorney and author of 8 books, has written the definitive biography of Hanover entitled Why Can't Mother Vote? Joseph Hanover and the Unfinished Business of Democracy. Thanks to all those men who voted to willingly share power, we celebrate the 19th Amendment's ratification. We also celebrate the women who are running for office, especially our endorsed candidates - Jerri Green, Gabby Salinas and Andrea Bond Johnson - who are helping us to become a "more perfect union." -- Submitted by Paula F. Casey, Speaker on the 19th Amendment and Co-Founder of the TN Woman Suffrage Heritage Trail - www.tnwomansuffrageheritagetrail.com