TRENTON, N.J. – In recognition of the suffragists who fought for and won the right to vote 100 years ago, the Assembly passed a resolution (ACR127) commemorating the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment in America.
Sponsored by Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, the bipartisan resolution recognizes the important work of suffragists, including New Jersey’s own Alice Paul, and encourages women of today to register and exercise their right to vote.
“The 19th amendment was such a monumental accomplishment; however, many of the women who fought for it never lived to see the day they could vote,” said DiMaso (R-Monmouth). “We must not take for granted the tremendous courage and determination of the women who never gave up the fight and the right they ultimately won that changed the course of history for American women.”
The 19th amendment was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920. More than 8 million women celebrated their victory on Nov. 2, 1920 by voting in the election. That same year, two suffrage leaders became the first women elected to New Jersey’s Legislature. In January 1921, Jennie Van Ness of East Orange and Margaret Laird of Newark, both Republicans, were sworn in to the Assembly.
“This anniversary gives us an opportunity to educate young women about the value of voting, its role in our republic and the women who were responsible for the change to the American electorate,” said DiMaso. “We owe it to the women who went before us, as well as future generations, to exercise our right to vote.”
The resolution calls on the secretary of state to establish goals and programs for registering new female voters.
WATCH: DiMaso celebrates 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage