Senate Resolution No. 1211

BY: Senator LITTLE

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of New York
State granting women the right to vote

WHEREAS, On July 19, 1848, a Women's Rights Convention was held in
Seneca Falls, New York; over 200 women and over 40 men including widely
known activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Frederick
Douglass attended the convention; unifying the causes of abolishing
slavery and women's rights, a Declaration of Sentiments was signed and
the Women's Rights Movement in New York State officially began; and

WHEREAS, The struggle continued for 69 years before New York would
pass the right to vote for women and 72 years before the 19th amendment
would be ratified allowing women to vote throughout the nation; during
this time, women would continue to fight for equal rights; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony formed the
American Equal Rights Association, which focused on universal suffrage
for all races and genders; when the 15th Amendment came out in 1870,
many women were opposed to the amendment because it did not include
suffrage for women; and

WHEREAS, Two years later Susan B. Anthony was arrested in Rochester,
New York, for trying to vote for Ulysses S. Grant in the presidential
election; and though she was charged with a fine of $100, she did not
pay it or receive jail time; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony would continue
this fight until their deaths in the early 1900s; unfortunately, neither
of them would get a chance to exercise their right to vote; and

WHEREAS, Among many others continuing the fight for women in New
York was Carrie Lane Chapman Catt, the President of the National
American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA); and

WHEREAS, One of her highlights was a dramatic protest in 1916,
during a presidential ceremony where President Woodrow Wilson was on a
yacht headed toward the Statue of Liberty for an electric lighting;
women in bi-planes flew over the yacht, dropping small paper leaflets
all saying "Votes for Women; after New York State granted women the
right to vote in 1917, Carrie Lane Chapman Catt turned the NAWSA into a
more modern lobbyist platform for women's rights; and

WHEREAS, Through the efforts of Carrie Lane Chapman Catt, the
women's suffrage cause was pushed to victory; she was able to persuade
both the Democratic and Republican parties to include women's suffrage
as part of their platforms; and

WHEREAS, On November 6, 1917, women finally gained the right to vote
in New York State; suffrage won in every borough and the large majority
in New York City overcame a slight loss upstate, so that the measure
carried by more than 100,000 votes statewide; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the Women's Suffrage movement and their
history and important contribution to the heritage of the State of New
York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in the
celebration of their 100th Anniversary so that present and future
generations may come to appreciate the significance their history plays
in the progression of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of New York State granting women the
right to vote, as well as to recognize its significant history and
importance to the Nation's progress on women's rights.