19th Amendment Commission

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Authorized in July 2013, the Commission on the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution seeks to: develop a plan for commemorating the events that occurred in Maryland connected to women's suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; assemble an inventory of sites in Maryland that are significant to the suffrage movement; develop a strategy to encourage tourism related to the commemoration; and foster collaboration between federal, state, county and municipal organizations with regard to commemorative programming.

The Commission seeks research and volunteer assistance related to all aspects of its mission. Any organization or individual wishing to contribute to the commemoration of the passage of the 19th Amendment in Maryland, please contact your local Commissioner to volunteer information or assistance.

19th Amendment Commissioners Singh, Bailey, Fitzsimmons, Oland Squires, Sharper and Hughes with members of Girl Scout Troop 598 at the Westminster historic marker unveiling on May 4, 2019.

On January 16, 2018, The Governor’s Commission on the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States held their monthly meeting in Annapolis, Maryland. The Commission’s Chair, Dr. Linda L Singh, Adjutant General of Maryland presided over the meeting. A special project presentation entitled “The Maryland Women’s Suffrage Movement” was given by Ms. Kathy Rohn, an intern of The Maryland Historical Trust and recent graduate of University of Maryland with a double Master's Degree in Community Planning and Historic Preservation. Major General Singh recognized Ms. Rohn for the special research project of the Maryland Women’s Suffrage Movement with the “Challenge Coin” which is given to a Unit Commander or an individual in recognition of special achievement by that individual. Thereafter, the members were invited to attend a session of the Maryland General Assembly. Senator Kathy Klausmeier introduced Major General Singh, Staff and Commission Committee Chairs to the 2018 Maryland General Assembly Senate Session. Following the session, a productive working lunch meeting was held to plan upcoming women suffrage’s movement events.

January 16, 2018, monthly meeting in Annapolis, Maryland.

Unveilings of New Markers

November 2019 - Druid Hill Baltimore City historic marker recognizing the work of suffragists Augusta Chissell and Margaret Hawkins.

October 2019 - Historic suffrage marker commemorating the 1914 Garrett County Women's Suffrage hike by suffragists to gain support for the women's right to vote in Western Maryland.

September 2019 - Historic St. Mary's City suffrage marker commemorating the Margaret Brent Pilgrimage celebrating the 23-day journey taken by five suffragists in a covered wagon through Maryland's Southern counties in 1915 to secure support for women's voting rights.

March 2018 - The Commission on the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in conjunction with the city of Hyattsville, Maryland, unveiled a new highway marker March 3, 2018. The marker recognizes the couriers to Congress who gathered on July 31, 1913, from across the nation, carrying 75,000 signatures demanding the immediate action on a constitutional amendment enfranchising women. They gathered at the Hyattsville baseball park, now Melrose Park, for a rally. The Suffrage motorcade paraded in 60 automobiles to the U.S. Capital to deliver the petitions to the Senate. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in August 1920 and granted women the right to vote.
View Additional Photos from the Event

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Kickoff Event: Historic Suffrage Marker Unveiling (June 9, 2014)
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Members of the 19th Amendment Commission and the Maryland Commission for Women at the historic marker unveiling in Overlea, MD on June 9, 2014.

Marker in Overlea commemorating historic women's suffrage march through Maryland in February 1913 which was unveiled by the 19th Amendment Commission on June 9, 2014.

Members of the 19th Amendment Commission and Maryland Commission for Women receiving proclamations during the June 9, 2014 historic marker unveiling ceremony.

Katie M. Caljean
Vice President, Educational Initiatives
Maryland Historical Society
201 West Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.685.3750 x337
kcaljean@mdhs.org

© Copyright September 29, 2020 Maryland State Archives