Women’s Right to Vote Speech in 1909

Greetings everyone, 

For the last four decades, women have been on this podium to demand their right to vote. It is forty years since Susan B. Antony demanded the update of the Fourteenth Amendment to allow women the right to vote. For forty years, we have been pleading with the male counterparts to consider us, not as equals, but rather, a necessary group in decision-making. Today I stand in front of you, yet again to remind ourselves, and the entire world, that women deserve as much consideration as men when it comes to matters of national governance. It is for this reason that I strongly support the policy to allow women to vote in all national elections. 

The women revolution we see today, and which I am proudly a part of is not based on selfish interests. Rather, our need for recognition is based on the possible benefits of the entire society. Over the years, we have witnessed strong women such as Elizabeth Candy achieves milestones in both personal and academic achievements (Dorr, 1928). These characters have brought a different perspective to our modern living. For centuries, the woman perspective has been ignored or considered inferior. I agree with Margaret Fuller who once said that the traditional patriarchal system was suitable to ensure security for the community. However, the statement is obsolete in a society where we have a government for security and economic models for food security. 

While women enjoy being the subject of admiration from male counterparts, who are willing to do anything for the protection of women, I strongly feel that women deserve more freedom that subjective justice and treatment from men. What a modern woman needs today is not a husband to offer security, but rather a government that protects women as it protects men. Allowing women to vote would be a huge step to achieving much-needed gender equality. Once in the ballot, women will be able to vote in leaders who understand their predicaments thus enhancing their position in the society. 

Naturally, men are more masculine and socially recognized than women. The proposed change of voting policy is not a competition for control. Instead, this policy will allow the different genders to engage in the democratic process. Without the inclusion of women, the election process loses its integrity, which is to determine the will of the majority. I would like to echo the words of Susan Antony, who once said that power given to women is a power given to the society because in most cases, women and children are the subjects of social conventions while men are the perpetrators. 

I feel honored today for having the opportunity to stand before you and address this critical issue. I believe that, even if we do not find the solution we would have hoped for today, this debate will be an eye-opener for all shareholders. If we say it long enough, the right people will hear. So, as you all walk home, keep reminding yourself that ‘Women Should Vote. Yes, Women should vote. 

Thank you all for your attendance, and remember, ‘Women Should Vote’.

Reference

Dorr, R. C. (1928).  Susan B. Anthony: The woman who changed the mind of a nation . Frederick A. Stokes Company.