Presentation details 'Struggles of the Suffragettes'

COEUR d'ALENE - After seven decades of struggle for female suffragists, the tipping point finally arrived on Aug. 18, 1920, when the constitutional amendment that gives women the right to vote was fully ratified.

The turbulent times leading up to that event - more than 70 years of suffragist lobbying, petitions, picketing and other acts of civil disobedience - will come to life Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Coeur d'Alene Resort when Tames Alan, an actress and historian, presents "Soldiers in Petticoats: The Struggles of the Suffragettes."

"It's a part of history that just isn't taught," Alan said. "People don't know what these women went through."

Rep. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d'Alene, is sponsoring the event which is free and open to the public. Kerri Rankin Thoreson will be the emcee.

Alan will appear in the clothing of the women of the suffragette movement as she shares the challenges all American women faced.

"Women couldn't go to college, couldn't speak in public. Their wages went to their husbands. A woman couldn't spend money she earned in a sewing circle without her husband's approval," Alan said. "In Tennessee, the written law was that women couldn't own property because women didn't have a soul."

It was also in Tennessee that the tide finally turned for the suffrage movement, and all eyes were on that state on Aug. 18, 1920.

Thirty-five states had already ratified the 19th amendment, but the amendment needed ratification by a minimum of 36 states before it could become law.

Tennessee was the only state Legislature still in session 1920. The state's Senate had already passed the measure.

Opposition was strong in the Tennessee House, but the suffragists believed it would pass. They knew going in that they had a one-vote margin of support.

Then, one of the House members they were counting on for a "yea," said "nay."

It seemed the women's decades-long fight for the right to vote would continue for at least another year - until the roll came around to Harry Burn.

At 24, Burn was the youngest member of the House, and expected to vote "no," but he surprised everyone and voted in favor of ratification.

According to the Tennessee state archives, Burn had a letter from his mother in his pocket at the time, and in it she urged him to "be a good boy" and support suffrage.

"I know a mother's advice is always safest for her boy to follow, and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification," Burn said when later asked about his decision.

The 19th amendment officially became part of the Constitution on Aug. 26.

Alan, who holds three theater degrees and a degree in history, said she hopes some younger women will come to the presentation Wednesday at The Resort.

"I love my work. I have a real passion for what I do," Alan said.

For information about "Soldiers in Petticoats: The Struggles of the Suffragettes, 769-9309.