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| Now the Landmark Church, once the Centenary Church, downtown Binghamton New York, built in 1866 |
I insert it into the voting machine. I vote. So easy, even a woman can do it.
But once, it wasn't so simple. Until recently, I never knew how close to history I walk each day. I address this post to women, but men are more than welcome to read it, too.
It wasn't until this sign went up last month that I even knew of this chapter in the church's history.
When this church was built in 1866, women had been active in the abolitionist movement to free enslaved blacks. But, as the Civil War ended in 1865, women still found themselves unable to vote. (Men of color also had a history of having to fight for the right to vote, a post for another day)
Activist women turned their attention to gaining the right to vote.
In 1913, their convention was held in this same church in downtown Binghamton.
In 1917, 101 years ago, women were finally able to exercise their right to vote in New York. And that first vote in New York State was held a few miles from Binghamton, in Lisle, New York (a story for another day). By 1920, women were able to vote everywhere in the United States.
If you are a woman, will you exercise that right this November 6? The same right that women fought for, sometimes at great peril to themselves?
Because now, storm clouds gather, imperiling the right to vote for some in our country - women AND men.
Don't be fooled: Election Day is the same day, regardless of party.
If signs go up in your neighborhood warning of penalties for voter fraud, know that you DO have an absolute right to vote.
Know your rights concerning a tool called the provisional ballot.
Don't let your hard earned right to vote be challenged.
Day 23 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
Unfortunately, even in the 21st Century, there are both men and women who denigrate women and do not think they are smart enough to vote. I suffered much prejudice towards women while I spent 20 years in public office. Men can get away with being stupid yet still get respect. Women have to constantly prove themselves. Oh, now you've got me started, lol.
ReplyDeleteToo true, Denise. Too true.
DeleteI can't believe how many people don't bother to vote. They don't realize that removes their legitimate right to bitch about what is happening around them. (This is how I convinced my partner to abolish his decades long tradition of not voting!)
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct. You lose your right to complain if you don't vote (and if you aren't careful, you may lose your remaining liberties, too, if you don't pay attention.)
DeleteYou know I vote.
ReplyDeleteHere on Long Island, we have a not-so-small case of attempted voter suppression, the story even hit Rachel Maddow's show on MSNBC. A certain fisrt-term Congressman, running for reelection, sent out a flyer which indicated that absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 6 (Election Day). Actually, they must be postmarked by November 5. An accident, you say? A mistake? Apparently he made the same mistake two years ago, when he was running for Congress the first time.
always get your information from the Board of Elections.
Yes, we saw it on Rachel Maddow. Some of the voter surpression stories she has told are hard to believe, but believe them we must. These are happening along with the more mundane "Party X votes on November 6 while party Y votes on November 8." Oh, sure they do.
DeleteFascinating.
ReplyDeleteThe vote. So much was/is gained--or lost--on this little word!
Yes, indeed, and I wonder if we are setting a record for election suppression hi-jinks.
DeleteI already voted, I like to do it in the privacy of my home and without having to wait in line.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've mentioned the provisional ballot. It's sad that it's so necessary to get the word out about it, but it's important that everyone knows.