Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Why I always vote

I always exercise my right to vote because so many of my sister ancestors, the American suffragists, devoted their lives, ruined their health, and suffered countless disappointments to secure it for me. Pulitzer prize winner,  Connie Schultz of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote a column in 2004 after see the HBO presentation of "Iron Jawed Angels" that more than went viral on the Internet. She wrote an update in 2008 that I recommend you read if you are hesitating about making the trip to vote.

5 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Just finished voting.

Marjorie said...

I traveled through E. Germany during the "Cold War" at the age of 17. I was profoundly affected with an understanding of freedom and the right to vote. I never miss an election, and get choked up every time. (Try explaining to your football buddies why you always cry during the national anthem.)

Quilted Librarian said...

Mary--I knew you would, my friend.

Hello, Marjorie,
Thank you very much for sharing you experience. We should be profoundly affected emotionally by the rights and freedoms we enjoy.

Warm regards,
Dana

Philippa said...

Hi Dana

Read your post about a week ago and its been much in my mind since. You might know that New Zealand, where I live, was the first country in the world to give women the vote in 1893, something we are proud of. However your post made me take down off the shelf the biography of Kate Shepherd who lead the fight for enfranchisement. I've had the book for many years but never read it. Its proving very interesting.

Timing was everything as I was off to Christchurch, Kate Shepherd's home, for a few days at the time. I discovered friends lived next to the cemetry where she is buried. No time to visit on this trip to find her grave but will be doing so over Christmas and will definately post once this is done.

Also got my 15yr old daughter to read the article you linked to - she loves history and was fascinated. We know lots of the story of the English suffregettes but not so much about the US.

So thank you for your post. It lead to interesting conversations in our house and a renewed respect for the women who came before us.

Best wishes
Philippa

Quilted Librarian said...

Dear Philippa,
Thank you so much for your message. I loved learning about Kate Shepherd's role in the women of New Zealand's getting the vote. You are so right. The history is fascinating and it's so important to keep teaching it to the women of today. All the best to you and you daughter.
Warmest regards,
Dana