Indiana is gearing up to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote.
A new state commission met for the first time this week to begin planning..
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. And the General Assembly this year created the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. It’s comprised of lawmakers, state officials and business and non-profit leaders.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who chairs the commission, says it will be important to make the celebration not just a history lesson, but a reminder of the need for continued progress.
“Particularly in our legislative process … across the country, 24 percent of general assemblies are female, yet women represent 52 percent of the electorate,” Crouch says.
That number is up a little in 2019 to 29 percent.
The centennial commission will host a few events next year and help publicize others held by communities and organizations around the state.
Jan. 16 marks the date Indiana ratified the 19th Amendment.