Casting a Historic Vote: Suffrage for Women in Illinois

Prior to 1920, women were denied the vote in the majority of elections in the United States. The struggle for enfranchisement began with the birth of our nation and was strategized differently in our local, state, and federal elections. Despite what people today believe to be a straightforward goal, the path to women’s suffrage was infused with sexism and racism and triggered a fear of feminism whose roots are still seen today.

While wealthy women advocates played a vital role in the suffrage movement, they were not the only ones seeking enfranchisement. From attorney Ellen Martin, the first woman to vote in Illinois, to Ida B. Wells, a woman who did not let racism silence her voice, women’s suffrage has been a battle hard fought by a diverse group of activists in Illinois.

This event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, please contact Julie Wayland at jwayland@princetonpl.org.

PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY COVID-19 POLICY

We encourage our patrons to wear masks and have a sign in the entry stating this. In addition there are hand sanitizing stations throughout the library and chairs will be placed at a comfortable distance from each other. Should Covid-19 spike, we will apply any recommendations made by the Illinois Department of Health.

Learn more about Jeanne Schultz Angel, this program, and how to book it.