One hundred years ago, our democracy experienced a significant expansion, as women were at last invited to participate in the electoral process -- at least, some women were.
It is my pleasure to be writing to you this week as we mark 100 years since the ratification of the 19th amendment, an important victory for voting rights and for our country's progress toward a more equitable society. When we celebrate this occasion, we are recognizing the work of countless women who fought for this victory, from Susan B. Anthony to Ida B. Wells.
But it would be naïve of me to say that the 19th Amendment gave every woman the right to vote.
Black women had to wait an additional 45 years before the Voting Rights Act. Today, we are still fighting to ensure that voting is a true right for everyone and not a privilege for the few. Our state has some of the most restrictive voting laws on the books, which limit voter registration, restrict vote-by-mail, and frequently remove people from the voter rolls.
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100th Anniversary of 19th Amendment at Harris County 1910 Courthouse. (L to R) Council Member Letitia Plummer, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, League of Women Voters Board Member, Michelle Levi McDaniel, and Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast CEO, Melaney Linton.
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History has taught us that it is not enough for people to have the right to vote in theory, but that we must continue to work until the right to vote exists in practice. This means expanding vote by mail so that people can vote safely during the ongoing pandemic, ensuring that there are enough polling locations in low-income communities, and making sure that our community understands the rules and guidelines for voting as much as possible.
While there is still work to do, I am proud of how far we have come. One hundred years ago, I don't know if Ida B. Wells would have imagined a Black woman as City Council Member writing this email to her community. Even as we face unprecedented challenges today, I know the future of Houston and Harris County is bright. Because just as women 100 years ago came together to expand voting rights, I see women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and many others coming together today to fight for each other and create a more just and equitable society.
As we look towards November, I encourage everyone to do their part to make sure that you, your family, and your friends exercise their right to vote. I know that I will proudly be casting my ballot, thanking the women who came before me to ensure I could do so, and thinking of the women working alongside me today to continue to expand our democracy.
Dr. Letitia Plummer
Houston Council Member
At-Large Position 4
