WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — One hundred and four years ago, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote. One local organization is honoring the women who fought for that right.
The League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls will host Women’s Equality Day on Thursday, August 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Vernon College, Room 605.
The LWV is a nonpartisan group that works to protect and expand voting rights. The first LWV was started by suffragettes who marched on the White House to grant women the right to vote. Now, it functions on a national, state, and local level, helping people register to vote, find information on candidates and where to vote, and more.
Women’s Equality Day began under President Nixon, who said he would like to have a proclamation honoring Women’s Equality Day.
The next year, Congress approved the proclamation, and the president has issued a proclamation every year since.
President of the Wichita Falls chapter of the LWV, Betty Richie, said the event is a lot of fun.
“We have a great program,” Richie said. “We have invited suffragettes to come and present themselves. So you will find out what they look like, what they do, what they did. And they are so fun. Little nuggets that you did not know these women went through.”
This event is free to the public and anyone is welcome to join the LWV. For more information, you can visit the local chapter’s Facebook page or the organziation’s website.