A program commemorating the centennial of the 19th amendment goes virtual

PHOENIX – The Secretary of State's Office is proud to present "Celebrating Suffrage: More than the 19th Amendment," a virtual series commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and recognizing the evolution of women's voting rights in the United States.

"On paper, the 19th Amendment seemed to expand voting rights to all women, but in practice, it would be decades before some Black, Indigenous and People of Color would be able to exercise that right. The centennial commemoration provides an opportunity to review the uneven expansion of voting rights in the US," said Secretary Katie Hobbs. "This virtual event is the perfect place to start a conversation."

The Arizona Secretary of State's Office, Arizona Capitol Museum, and Arizona State Library and Archives will host virtual programs exploring the history of voting rights in Arizona and the United States.

The series will kick off on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. with the State of Arizona Research Library's Arizona Author Series featuring historian Heidi Osselaer who will present on Arizona's suffrage movement. At noon, join the museum, library, and archives for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building. Staff will share collections relating to Arizona suffrage and women in politics, as well as some of the steps taken to preserve the priceless materials. Families are encouraged to join by 1 p.m. in time to see Secretary Hobbs read Grace Goes to Washington, a New York Times bestseller about the branches of government and what it means to be a public servant.

In December, the Arizona Capitol Museum will present a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Voices and Votes: Democracy in America which explores voting rights, and the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens.

These virtual programs will stream on the Arizona Capitol Museum's YouTube channel. More information and resources on the suffrage movement in Arizona can be found at: azlibrary.gov/azcm/suffrage-centennial-19th-amendment

The Arizona Capitol Museum Store is also offering custom suffrage-related merchandise, including socks, greeting cards, and totes. Place an order online at: azcapitolgifts.ecwid.com

The Arizona Author Series is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition sponsored by the Arizona Humanities Council.

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