Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement marking the 92^nd anniversary on Saturday of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote.

“It is hard to believe that it was only a couple of generations ago when more than half of our nation’s population was unable to vote.  The women’s suffrage movement – which had its roots in New York State – was one of many in our nation’s history to fight against injustices such as voter suppression.  Decades earlier, African-Americans had been given the right to vote, but would still need the historic Civil Rights Act to help enforce this right.  Young adults old enough to fight in our wars, but not old enough to vote would later earn the right as well. 

“Women’s suffrage should be more than just the right to vote, but rather the economic and political influences of women today.  We remember the efforts of Elizabeth Cady Stanton at Seneca Falls, New York, and the work of Susan B. Anthony, who led our nation towards equality.  Absent their work, there may never have been an Eleanor Roosevelt, Sally Ride, Condoleezza Rice or a Hillary Clinton, to name a few.

“Today, attacks on women’s rights and voter suppression should be a thing of the past, but sadly, we still see instances of each.  While we celebrate the anniversary of women’s suffrage, the spirit of the 19^th amendment should not be forgotten.”

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