Tuesday, August 18, 2020

MAMA TURNS THE TIDE

As you've no doubt heard, today is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote.

It came when a 24 year old State Representative in the Tennessee legislature changed his vote and broke a tie.

Harry T. Burn was the youngest member of the body and had voted against ratification several times.

But then, shortly before the decisive vote he received a note from his mother, which read in part:
 

        "Hurrah and vote for Suffrage and don't keep them in doubt.

           With lots of love, Mama"

Burn later inserted a statement in the House Journal: "I knew that a mother's advice is always safest for a boy to follow, and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification."

So let's issue a thank you to Febb Burn of Niota, Tennessee.


Mama's advice prompted a momentous event in American history.

8 comments:

  1. The story of suffrage is extraordinary. 75-100 years of relentless effort.

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  2. She was a brave woman and her son listened to her.

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  3. Now there's a story I've never heard!

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  4. Too bad more of them didn't listen to their mothers earlier.

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  5. I think that's the best story on this subject I've hear this week. Thanks!

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