The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on August 18, 1920, significantly expanded participation in the democratic process by granting women the right to vote. Prior to its ratification, women in most states were denied suffrage, effectively excluding half the adult population from participating in elections and influencing government policies.

Historical Context

Before the amendment, voting rights in the U.S. were largely restricted to white men, and while some states and territories had extended limited voting rights to women, there was no federal mandate ensuring women’s suffrage nationwide. The struggle for women’s voting rights was a central issue of the women’s suffrage movement, which began in earnest in the mid-19th century with leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth advocating for equal rights.