Sen. Breen recognizes the 100th Anniversary of women’s voting rights in Maine
AUGUSTA — Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, introduced a joint resolution on Tuesday to recognize the centennial of Maine’s adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“I am pleased to introduce this resolution because Maine should be very proud of its place in the history of women’s suffrage,” said Sen. Breen. “As important as it is to look back at past successes, it is also critical that we look ahead to how we can further address inequality. We must recognize and acknowledge societal norms and policies that subjugate certain segments of the population and take action to make things right. I believe that we still have a way to go before this work is done, and this is my motivation for coming to the State House every day.”
A joint resolution expresses a special sentiment or opinion of the Legislature. SP 370, “Joint Resolution Commemorating the Ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution Providing for Women’s Suffrage” reviews the historical timeline of the movement, from the first Maine Woman Suffrage Association meeting in 1873 to Maine’s ratification of the amendment in 1919. It also details a series of firsts in Maine politics, from the first women to serve in the Maine House of Representatives (1923) and Maine Senate (1926) to the election of the first female governor in 2018.
Additionally, Sen. Breen announced to the Senate that the Maine State Museum will recognize the centennial with a new exhibition, “Women’s Long Road: 100 Years to the Vote,” from March 23, 2019 to January 25, 2020. The exhibition will feature materials related to the suffrage movement.
