This article explores Utah’s women’s suffrage history, key milestones, and figures like Susan B. Anthony and Emmeline B. Wells, while addressing challenges to voting access and the importance of civic engagement for a more inclusive democracy.
The article emphasizes the critical importance of civic engagement and voter participation, particularly among women and marginalized communities. It discusses the historical struggles for voting rights and the ongoing challenges that threaten equitable access to the electoral process. The piece encourages individuals to actively participate in local and national elections, providing practical steps for increasing voter turnout and ensuring that voices are heard. Through inspiring stories of advocacy and empowerment, the article highlights the role of community initiatives and grassroots movements in fostering a culture of engagement and civic responsibility. By advocating for informed voting and sustained advocacy, the article seeks to galvanize readers to prioritize their civic duties and contribute to a vibrant democracy.
We all recognize the name of Susan B. Anthony. She was a famous woman’s suffrage leader in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Although she died in 1906, she was instrumental in the passage of the 19th Amendment. This amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920.
One hundred years of women’s suffrage was celebrated in 2020, during the COVID pandemic. A Utah author named Neylan McBaine was CEO of Better Days 2020, a nonprofit with a mission to popularize Utah women’s history. Through her work there, she focused on Utah and the West’s early role in women’s suffrage. In 2018, she gave aSalt Lake City Tedx talkabout this. And she introduced her well-researched book for Utah women’s voting rights in 2020.
In November 2021, with a recommendation from a friend, I read that book called Pioneering the Vote. My friend is an eclectic reader, and usually finds and reads a lot of eBooks. But she bought this book and gave me the book to read. I know why she wanted her own copy. It is the little-known story of suffragists in Utah and all the West. This book highlights the work done by Emmeline B. Wells, a Utah citizen and leading suffragist. This book is available for perusal at theUVU Fulton Library.
History does teach us a lot of lessons, and I want to remind our Utah Women in Business audience about the sacrifices our forebears made to get us the vote. Especially at this time of the year, as we approach our November mid-term elections.
Women’s suffrage for Utah women started in 1870. Here are some dates to remember:
1870: February 12: Utah Territorial Legislature grants women the right to vote
February 14: Utah women are the first to vote in the United States
1871: June-July: Susan B Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton visit Utah
With some political jousting in the years after 1870, Utah women were disenfranchised with the Edmunds-Tucker Act.
And finally, again in January 1896, Utah became the forty-fifth state and the third with equal suffrage in its constitution. In that same year, Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon was elected as the first female state senator.
With full circle, in 2022, out of 29 state senators, we have five women state senators. Members of the Senate are elected to four-year terms without term limits.
In our Utah House, out of 75 state house representatives, we have 22 women House Reps. State house representatives serve in two-year terms.
The fifteenth Governor of the State of Utah and first female governor was Olene S. Walker, who served from 2003-2004. She also served as Lieutenant Governor for Utah from 1993-2003.
Diedre Henderson, our current Lieutenant Governor is the second woman to fill that role. Lt. Governor Henderson oversees the elections in Utah. This will occur on November 8, 2022. Your voter registration must be received by your county clerk by 5 pm on October 28, 2022. You can access further informationhere.
If you miss the October 28th registration deadline, you can register to vote at an early voting location or an Election Day voting location. However, you will need to present two forms of ID at the voting location to register. Additional details can be found here.
If you are interested in running for office, there will be an event at UVU on Wednesday, October 19th. This event will be held in the Ragan Theatre starting at 4:30 pm. It will be an evening of speakers, classes and food encouraging women to run for office. This event is hosted by UVUSA in partnership with Elect Women Utah.
