The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920. North County Daily Star asked the CEO of the Vista Chamber, Rachel Beld, to reflect on this event in American History.
By Rachel Beld
One hundred years ago, on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment secured its 36th and final required vote to become part of the US Constitution. It was the 19th Amendment that finally established the right for women to vote. The next day, August 19, 1920, my grandmother, Mavis Chapman was born. It boggles my mind to think that my grandmother (who I affectionately called Mamaw), the only daughter in her family and the youngest of four children, would be among the first girls born into a nation with women’s suffrage. We often forget that just two generations ago women could not vote. A mere 100 years ago things were so very different.
Growing up, my Mamaw was incredibly special to me. She and my Poppy regularly hosted me for weekend sleepovers where I ate whatever I wanted, usually a giant stack of pancakes, Spaghetti-o’s, and ice cream floats. Besides being spoiled, my Poppy and Mamaw visits with my grandparents were also filled with a lot political talk on television and radio. Poppy was a Republican and Mamaw, a Democrat. I can vividly remember them discussing candidates, laws, and many topics. Their discussions were always civil and I have no memory of them ever arguing about politics. In their home, the news was always on TV and when we took long road trips from Dallas to Austin in their giant green Ford, we listened to public radio. Sometimes I would ask questions about the things I heard but did not yet understand. My grandparents answered my questions as simply and honestly as they could, often asking what I thought about the topic. This was my first introduction to being an educated civic minded citizen. They always spoke of the importance of voting. I enjoyed learning about our country and politics from them. But, mostly I enjoyed being part of the conversation and knowing that even at such a young age, I could have an opinion about the world around me that was valued and that my vote mattered.
Since then, I have continued to hold an opinion about the world around me. I have tried to use my voice to help others, to be kind, and to always try to do what I felt is right. I aim to listen to both sides, weigh the options and hope to make the best choice of what is available. I am grateful for the influence that Mamaw and Poppy had on my life.
Sadly, my grandparents both died much too young. I was only in elementary school when I lost Poppy. Nine years later I said goodbye to my Mamaw. When I voted for the very first time in 1996, I could feel her with me as I slid my ballot in the large voting box and listened as my ballot fell softly down with the other votes. Each vote an opinion, each vote a voice that mattered. She has been with me every time I voted for a councilperson, judge, or ballot measure. In 2016, she was there when I went to the polls with my own daughter wearing my Mamaw’s ring and cast my vote, hopeful to continue in the tradition of civic-minded, strong women who instill the power and importance of the vote to their daughters.
One hundred years ago, the 19th Amendment promised women the right to vote, a huge win in the fight for women’s equality. Still, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, only 63.3% of eligible women voted in the 2016 Presidential election. The numbers are even lower for women aged 18-44. Our voices are needed to shape, guide and lead this nation. In California, the last day to register to vote for the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election is October 19th. If you have not yet registered to vote, please do. Our daughters and granddaughters are counting on us!
