Remembering Today

Today is the 101st anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, recognizing that women have the right to vote. 

From the Salt Project "The amendment’s initial version was officially proposed in 1878 — and in every congressional session since — and finally (and narrowly!) passed both the House and the Senate in 1919, whereupon it was sent to the states to be ratified. Most states in the South stood against the amendment, but on this date 101 years ago, it was clear that if Tennessee passed it, it would be ratified nationally. As the state legislature gathered to vote, the atmosphere was electric. Those in favor of the amendment wore yellow roses in their lapels; those opposed, red roses. With the vote tied at 48-48, all eyes turned to 24-year-old Harry Burn, the youngest legislator in the chamber. He was widely expected to vote against the amendment (he reportedly was wearing a red rose), but his mother had written him a letter, which he carried that day in his pocket. She wrote: “Dear Son: Hurrah, and vote for suffrage! Don't keep them in doubt. I noticed some of the speeches against. They were bitter. I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet. Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the 'rat' in ratification. Your Mother." Harry Burn voted in favor."

The cliché is often that history repeats itself.  Today, we are struggling with laws that continue to restrict who has the right to vote.  We continue to realize that Democracy - governing by the people and for the people - is fragile and never complete.  There is always the struggle; as Fredrick Douglass said, "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." As a Congregational Church, we seek to honor the gifts of each other ~ to bring and blend our lights brightly in shining God's love.  We prayerful listen and learn from each other.  We seek to prayerfully to be a place where each person is honored as created in God's image.  It isn't easy, but is hard and holy work.

Today, we honor women who raised their voices demanding to be heard.  Today, we recognize that the 19th Amendment, while a step forward, still left African-American women behind without the vote in many states.  Today, we realize that the work will not be finished in our life time.  We pray for the courage and strength to continue this important work in our lives.  We pray for this prayer to be embodied in us in these days.  Amen.