Did you know women earned the right to vote 100 years ago thanks to the state of Tennessee? Mrs. Smith told students about the role our state played in the vote.

She told the whole story of women's suffrage and Tennessee’s very important role in passing the 19th amendment in 1920. Tennessee was the last of the 36 required states needed to pass the law. One of three main women's suffragist leaders was Abby Crawford Milton and her daughter, Sara Ann Milton, went to Bright School!  During this movement, the Anti's wore red roses and the Suffragists wore yellow roses. Robin wore a yellow rose when she spoke at Bright.

On August 9, the special session met; the Senate (33) supported and passed the law almost immediately. Of the House, only 96 came and it was a tie, 48-48. Harry Burn was 22 years old and wore a red rose, but his mother was an active suffragist. His mom sent him a 7-page letter that he had in his jacket and on that day, wearing the red rose, he voted to pass the law. He shocked everyone and broke the tie, in support of women’s suffrage. He made a big difference for 27 million women in the U.S. at that time (and changed the course of history for women).  One person (Harry) made a big difference.  On Aug. 26, 1920, President Wilson was able to proclaim that women now had the right to vote. 

Her message to the students was: You (one) can make a difference in the world. Everyone has a role to play. If you do what your teachers and parents say to do, opportunities will open up for you. Be involved, ask questions, and remember when you get older, register to vote and then cast your vote! 

For more info, visit: www.tnwoman100.com

Mrs. Smith's visit was coordinated by art teacher Thankful Davis.