Existing comment:
Tennessee Ratification:
In April 1920, thirty-five of the thirty-six required states had ratified the 19th amendment, six states had defeated it and seven states were left to decide its fate.
Tennessee became the next state to call a special session on August 9th, 1920 to vote on the 19th Amendment. Both suffragists and anti-suffragists poured into the state to sway the vote.
After several days of debate the suffragists knew the vote would be very close. The first two ballots ended in a 48-48 tie. On the third vote, Harry Burn, the youngest member of the House at age 24, changed his vote and allowed the amendment to pass.
When asked later why he changed his vote, Harry Burn produced a letter encouraging him to "Hurray and vote for Suffrage and don't keep them in doubt" signed "with lots of love, Mama." Having been on the fence and initially voting against the amendment, Burn decided to listen to his mother and finish the fight for suffrage. |