Women's Suffrage
By: Cynthia Arce
Women's rights in the US
The issue of women's rights has been around for many years especially during early America. In the 18th century, women started to fight for their right to vote by gathering women in conventions and discussing their right to vote. By gathering up enough people, women, slowly but surely, got their right to vote with the 19th amendment. Starting with the federal government, moving on to the state government, and lastly moving on to the local governments.
Federal Government
-The first National Women's Rights Convention takes place in Worcester Mass, attracting more than 1,000 participants. National conventions are held yearly (except for 1857) through 1860.
-The 19th amendment allowed women in the 1920's the right to vote.
-In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Supreme Court reaffirms the validity of a woman's right to abortion under Roe v. Wade. The case successfully challenges Pennsylvania's 1989 Abortion Control Act, which sought to reinstate restrictions previously ruled unconstitutional.
State Government
-Colorado is the first state to adopt an amendment granting women the right to vote. Utah and Idaho follow suit in 1896, Washington State in 1910, California in 1911, Oregon, Kansas, and Arizona in 1912, Alaska and Illinois in 1913, Montana and Nevada in 1914, New York in 1917; Michigan, South Dakota, and Oklahoma in 1918
Local Government
-The Seneca Falls convention for women's right was held at Seneca Falls in the Finger Lakes region of New York City on July 19 and 20, 1848. After 2 days of discussion and debate, 68 women and 32 men sign a Declaration of Sentiments, which outlines grievances and sets the agenda for the women's rights movement. A set of 12 resolutions is adopted calling for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women.
Federalism
Is Federalism helping or hindering?
Federalism helps more than hinders the growth of women's suffrage. The nation has helped women come together for many conventions to aid the awareness of women's rights. When the federal government gets involved then the many state governments start to change and then come along the local governments.