2020-1803 Resolution No. 2020-1803
A resolution in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the United
States Constitution.
WHEREAS, the bold, courageous and powerful women and men who fought for the ratification
of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution on August 18, 1920, deserve special
celebration by the City of Janesville, especially on the 100th anniversary of its ratification in
2020; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment on June 10, 1919; and
WHEREAS, when Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18,
1920, the amendment passed its final hurdle of obtaining the agreement of three-fourths of the
states. The ratification was certified on August 26, 1920, changing the face of the American
electorate forever; and
WHEREAS, in 1971, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women's Equality Day; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin holds a special place in women's suffrage history as many Wisconsin
women advocated for the right to vote on the streets, in the newspapers, in the state capitol and
throughout the great state; and
WHEREAS, we recognize that the 19th Amendment did not guarantee suffrage for all citizens,
including Native Americans who did not gain the right to vote in every state until 1962. For Asian
and Pacific Islander Americans it was 1952. African Americans and Latinx Americans suffered
voter suppression until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and 1975 protected the right to
vote for people of all races. Young adults were not granted the right to vote until 1971; and
WHEREAS, the fact that today women are active in local, state and national government and
are running for office in unprecedented numbers reminds us that we all follow in the footsteps of
these resolute American suffragists; and
WHEREAS, the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution has played an important role
in advancing the right of all women.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED be it resolved that the City Councilmembers of the City
of Janesville hereby recommend that residents and civic institutions celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment, providing for women's
suffrage, to the Constitution of the United States; honor the role of the ratification of the 19th
Amendment in further promoting the core values of our democracy as promised by the
Constitution of the United States; reaffirm the opportunity for students and adults in the city to
learn about and commemorate the efforts of the women's suffrage movement and the role of
women in our democracy; and reaffirm our desire to continue to strengthen democratic
participation and to inspire future generations to cherish and preserve the historic precedent
established under the 19th Amendment.
ADOPTED: August 24, 2020 I Motion by: Conley
Second by: Marklein
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
APPROVED: Benson X
Conley X
Farrell X
Gruber X
Mark A. reitag, City Manager Marklein X
Williams X
ATTES : Wolfe X
David T. Godek, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
Proposed by: CP Conley
Prepared by: City Manager's Office