The national centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which opened the door for a woman's right to vote, is Aug. 26.
Tennessee played a critical role in its passage by being the state that just barely passed the ratification resolution on Aug. 18, 1920, crossing the threshold of the three-fourths of states needed, allowing the amendment to become law.
Upcoming events marking these momentous state and national anniversaries include the following:
"I Ring the Bell" Campaign
When the 19th Amendment was ratified in Nashville nearly 100 years ago, cities across the country rang bells in celebration, but Nashville did not. Vanderbilt is joining the Nashville Public Library and other community partners to ring the bell in Kirkland Tower one hundred times on Aug. 18 at noon, to honor the anniversary.
Provost Susan Wente is also joining women across Tennessee in sharing her "I ring the bell" video through the hashtag #iringthebell.
Dedication of Woman Suffrage Monument
On Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m., the Woman Suffrage Monument in Centennial Park will be dedicated. You can watch the dedication virtually here.
Grand Opening of the 'Votes for Women' Room
On Aug. 18 at 11:30 a.m. Roseanne Cash, singer, songwriter, author, and narrator of the PBS documentary By One Vote: Woman Suffrage in the South, will host the grand opening of the 'Votes for Women' room at the Nashville Public Library. Join the virtual grand opening here.
Film Screening of "The 19th Amendment: A Woman's Right to Vote"
On Aug. 26 at 4pm the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center
