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.
Good, actually a great story!
ReplyDeleteThe story of suffrage is extraordinary. 75-100 years of relentless effort.
ReplyDeleteShe was a brave woman and her son listened to her.
ReplyDeleteHurray for her!
ReplyDeleteNow there's a story I've never heard!
ReplyDeleteToo bad more of them didn't listen to their mothers earlier.
ReplyDeleteI think that's the best story on this subject I've hear this week. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWho'd have thought?
ReplyDelete