Historical Commission Corner
November 2020
What was the first state in which women had the right to vote in a presidential election? This may seem like an odd question as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which said that the right to vote cannot be denied on account of sex. How could there be a first state? Well, thanks to the Constitution’s 10th Amendment, individual states could set their own voting standards; thus, many allowed ladies the franchise before 1920. And the answer to the question is – our own Colorado, depending on how “state” is defined.
Women’s suffrage in Colorado was almost successful in 1876, the year it became a state. A referendum to make their voting rights a part of the new state’s constitution failed by a narrow margin largely due to the fear among the male voters that allowing women to vote might lead to the prohibition of production and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The Colorado legislature held another referendum in 1893 in which around 54% of the voters approved women’s suffrage. Keep in mind that the voters in that election were all male! From then on, Colorado women exercised their franchise in local, state and national elections. Remember how to define state? The issue here is that Wyoming predated our 1893 landmark by giving female citizens voting rights in 1869 followed by Utah in 1870. The catch is that they were both territories at the time, thus not states -- that is unless you count them as future states.
At any rate, the Colorado legislature ratified the proposed 19th amendment in December of 1919 becoming one of the 37 states needed to approve making it a part of our U. S. Constitution. This was the culmination of a nation-wide movement stemming from the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 calling for equality between the genders. Leaders such as Susan B. Anthony campaigned all over the country and in Colorado for equal voting rights. Eliza Pickrell Routt, the wife of a Colorado governor, campaigned mightily and used her prominence to successfully pass the 1893 referendum.
"Let the women vote. They can't do any worse than the men have." Slogan from 1893 campaign.
As we head to November 3rd, 2020, it is important to remember the sacrifice others before us have made for this wonderful right, whether on the battlefield or in a women’s rights parade. Be sure to vote.
Early women voters in Colorado, 1900-1910. Exact location unknown.
- Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library Western History Collection, z-8811.
Did you know . . .
- On November 9, 1871 Florence Sabin, American Scientist, first woman to graduate from Johns Hopkins and first lifetime woman member of the National Academy of Sciences was born in Central City? (d. 1953)
- On November 15, 1806 Zebulon Pike sighted the Colorado mountain that was to bear his name?
- On November 29, 1864 the infamous Sand Creek Massacre took place in southeast Colorado. The attack against Cheyenne and Arapaho people by the Third Colorado Cavalry devastated the group of mostly women and children resulting in casualties estimated between 125-500 victims.
The Superior Historical Museum continues to be closed during the pandemic.
For further information on Superior Historical Commission and Museum activities please contact Bryan Meyer, Town Staff, at 303-499-3675 or Larry Dorsey, Commission Chair, at 303-499-1969. Content by Larry Dorsey, Town of Superior Historical Commission. Proofed by Dorothy Mahan.
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