Women’s History

The most famous statue in the United States is a Lady, in fact, Lady Liberty. Designed by a Mr. Eiffel, yes, the same one who built the Eiffel Tower, and given to the United States by France to celebrate the alliance of the two countries formed during the American Revolution. Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World. In 2017, 4.5 million people visited her.

People may not see the statue on top of the United States Capitol, but it is the Statue of Freedom, again a Lady. She was installed up there 140 years ago when she was welcomed with a 35-gun salute.

Little known, no statue, but a most important woman in our history was Febb Ensminger Burn, mother of 23-year-old Tennessee State Representative, Harry T. Burn. In 1920, with one state needed to ratify the 19th amendment giving ALL the right to vote, Representative Burn joined other legislators wearing white roses to show they opposed the amendment.

Carrie Chapman Catt, leader of the Women’s Suffrage Association, was leading the women of the United States who could not vote in the fight for ratification. Burn planned to vote against the ratification and then a letter came from Mama.

Many versions of the letter have been written, but essentially she wrote to her son, “Don’t forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the ‘rat’ in ratification.” And yes, he voted YES, and broke the tie as Tennessee was the 36th state needed to ratify the amendment to the Constitution. 50 years later in 1970, Georgia State legislature voted in favor of the 19th amendment.

All to say, March is United States Women’s History Month and what a history WE have.