19th Amendment Ratified

On this day, August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, extending the right to vote to women.

-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

McCully, Emily Arnold.
The Ballot Box Battle.
1996.
Alfred A. Knopf.
Guided Reading Level: P

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

From Caldecott medalist Emily Arnold McCully comes the inspiring story of Cordelia, a young girl whose relationship with her neighbor, the great suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, inspires her to a remarkable act of courage.

We often read about these incredible women, who so much impacted the lives of women today, yet we often see the struggles faced by the less-ordinary girls who were fighting their own battles within, dealing with the inner conflicts faced by the laws around them during this time period. Cordelia allows us to see how "being a girl" impacted this young child's life - and I think children will really be able to connect to this story because the character fighting these inner battles is a child! Definitely worth adding to any Women's Rights Movement library!

White, Linda Arms.
I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote.
2005.
Farrar Straus Giroux.
Guided Reading Level: L

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

“I could do that,” says six-year-old Esther as she watches her mother making tea. Start her own business at the age of nineteen? Why, she could do that, too. But one thing Esther and other women could NOT do was vote. Only men could do that.

If you have a determined daughter at home, this is the perfect book for her... encouraging young girls to reach for their dreams, rather than sitting back and letting the boys tromp all over her! Not only does the book perfectly depict the way women felt at a time when women's rights were nil, the book realistically portrays the fight for women's rights, most specifically, the right to vote! A must have for young girls and teaching about the Women's Rights Movement!

Stone, Tanya Lee.
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote.
2008.
Henry Holt and Company.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Elizabeth Cady Stanton stood up and fought for what she believed in. From an early age, she knew that women were not given rights equal to men. But rather than accept her lesser status, Elizabeth went to college and later gathered other like-minded women to challenge the right to vote.Here is the inspiring story of an extraordinary woman who changed America forever because she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

This is a third wonderful book to use when teaching about women's voting rights or the Women's Rights Movement. What I liked the most about this was that the book shows women living life the "right" way - Elizabeth continued to do what was expected of her by law, while at the same time lobbying in a respectable manner to try and change not only her life, but the life of all women... the way it was written kind of reminded me of MLK and his non-violent ways!

Related Learning Activities:

• Lesson 3.7: The Ballot Box Battle
• Voices for Vote: Suffrage Strategies
• Elizabeth Leads the Way: Election
• Voting for Change: Based on the Wyoming Quarter Reverse
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

Anniversary of the Women's Rights Convention - Sunday

A convention concerning the rights of women, called by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was held at Seneca Falls, NY. The convention was held at Seneca Falls, NY (just 20 minutes from me!) on July 19 and 20, 1848. The issues discussed included voting, property rights and divorce. The convention drafted a "Declaration of Sentiments" that paraphrased the Declaration of Independence, addressing man instead of King George, and called for women's "immediate admission to all of the rights and privileges which belong to them as citizens of the United States." The convention was the beginning of an organzied women's rights movement in the US. The most controversial issue was Stanton's demand for women's right to vote.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

For today's review, I picked two books relating to the fight for Women's Rights... one addresses women's voting rights and the second addresses the differences between men and women in regards to their clothing expectations. Both are very much kid-friendly, which makes learning about a tender topic much more fun and understandable!

Karr, Kathleen.
Mama Went to Jail for the Vote.
2005.
Hyperion Books for Children.

Summary from Amazon:

A fictional account of the early-20th-century American Suffragist movement. Susan watches her mother parade and picket in front of the White House, absorbing the message that voting is preferred over violence as a means to change. When Mama is hauled away in handcuffs, Susan takes up the call, her sign demanding her mother's release from jail. President Wilson's attention achieves the young protagonist's goal, but it is still some time before Mama achieves hers. A historical note provides the language of the 19th Amendment and places some of the players and their actions in context. Alice Paul appears to be the inspiration for this story, which infuses an important chapter in history with humor, spunk, and drama. The color illustrations are adequate, but Laugesen's caricatures are not as strong as the landscapes and architectural details.

This book is perfect to use when teaching children about the Women's Rights Movement and when discussing the 19th Amendment. I could also see the book used in conjunction with a Presidential race, as it would allow perfect opportunity for children to see how voting has changed over time (those allowed to vote and the voting process) - especially with the push towards electronic voting machines after the Bush/Gore election of 2000. After taking a women's studies minor in college, I think I'd definitely recommend this for children, but keep in mind that a lengthy discussion will likely ensue.

Corey, Shana.
You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer!
2000.
Scholastic Press.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Amelia Bloomer, who does not behave the way nineteenth-century society tells her a proper lady should, introduces pantaloons to American women to save them from the discomfort of their heavy, tight dresses.

This book is perfect for sharing with children the ways in which women's roles have changed over time. Girls will feel a sense of relief upon learning they are no longer required to wear skirts 24/7 (thanks to no one other than Amelia Bloomer!) and boys will likely get a chuckle out of the ways that girls had to dress "back then." I would definitely include this book as part of a unit on the Women's Rights Movement!

You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer Extension Activity

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.