On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 'Perfect 36' by passing the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which granted women the right to vote. Governor Roberts certified Tennessee's ratification on August 24 and it officially became a part of the U.S. Constitution on August 26.
Congratulations to Tennessee and to women across the country.
Tennessee women played a pivotal role in rallying support for the vote on August 18 and Tennessee women continue to play leading roles in carrying out TN Right to Life's mission to promote public respect for the dignity of every human life.
Ann Brayley served as the first President of Tennessee Right to Life in 1975 and some of the women currently leading the way include:
-
Stacy Dunn - Exec. Director of Tennessee Right to Life Knox County and Vice President of Tennessee Right to Life
-
Trecia Dillingham - President of Wilson County Right to Life and Secretary of Tennessee Right to Life
-
Katy Brown - Former Director of Church Outreach and current board member
-
Karen Brukardt - Former legislative liaison for Tennessee Right to Life and current board member
-
Caren Jordan - President of Crockett/Haywood Counties Right to Life and current board member
-
Kanda Mowbray - President of Dickson County Right to Life and current board member
-
Lorene Steffes - Former Yes on 1 grassroots trainer and current board member
A majority of our staff and volunteers are women that are working every day to protect Life.
Tennessee women are pro-life as well making up 81% of TN Right to Life's chapter leaders across the state and 70% of our Facebook fans. And according to Pew Research, 57% of Tennessee women believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. (https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/tennessee/views-about-abortion/)
Majority of our female legislators are Pro-life (60%) and have led the way in passing the strongest and most effective laws in the country.
Tennessee Right to Life celebrates women gaining the right to vote 100 years ago and leading Tennessee's Pro-life movement.
Tennessee's Virtual Archive: Women's Suffrage in Tennessee link: https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/global/pages/collections/suffrage/suffrage.html