100th Anniversary of the Deciding Vote

After years of arguments for and against suffrage, the 19th Amendment was passed by Congress in July 1919. However, 36 states were needed for ratification, and my beloved home state of Tennessee was the last and deciding vote.

On August 18, 1920 Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment — making it law that the right to vote could not be based on sex.

Harry Burn cast the tie-breaking vote by acting on advice from his dear mother, Phoebe. He originally wore the red rose of the anti-suffragists on his lapel as he cast his vote. His one vote made the difference, the vote was 49-47.

With his mother's letter in his pocket and on his mind when he cast the decisive vote, Harry was only 22. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Harry Burn and even more to his Mom.