19th Amendment Centennial Celebration

American women started voting nationwide after the 19th Amendment kicked into effect on Aug. 26, 1920. A hundred years later, the State Historical Society of Iowa commemorated that milestone – and the Iowans who marched toward it – with a series of monthly programs and events. Many of the programs have been recorded and posted online for later viewing. 

Ongoing

Iowa Women's Suffrage Collection: The Iowa Women's Suffrage Collection at the State Historical Society is comprised of records generated and collected by organizations and individuals leading the statewide campaign. This gallery presents visual items from the collection documenting key players and moments in the Iowa women's suffrage story, as well as national figures that influenced the movement.

Goldie's Kids Club At-Home Expeditions: Check out Goldie the Goldfinch’s At-Home Expeditions for young historians and their families that explore women's suffrage across the country and in Iowa, including Carrie Lane Chapman Catt roots in Charles City. The At-Home Expeditions related to women's suffrage includes a reading list, coloring sheets, interactive activities, a crossword and more.

Women's Suffrage Primary Source Sets: Learn more about the women's suffrage movement in Iowa and throughout the United States through documents, maps, images and more with the State Historical Society of Iowa's Primary Source Sets. 

Past Programs (Some Recordings Available)

Aug. 13, 2020
Iowa History 101 Series: "Iowans at Work: Women’s Suffrage"
Featured Speaker: Leo Landis, state curator
Watch the Recording

July 7, 2020
Webinar: "Toward a Universal Suffrage"
Featured Speakers: Eric Morse, Central Iowa Community Museum; Kristen Corey, Office on the Status of Women
Watch the Recording

June 30 through July 31, 2020
Museum Exhibit: "Toward a Universal Suffrage: African-American Women in Iowa and the Vote for All"

May 29, 2020
Webinar: "Carrie Chapman Catt: Warrior for Women"
Watch the Recording

April 23, 2020
Webinar: “Women of Woodland Cemetery”
Watch the Recording

March 10, 2020
Lecture: “The Life and Legacy of Carrie Lane Chapman Catt”
Featured Speaker: Karen Kedrowski from the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University

Feb. 22, 2020
Screening: “Iron Jawed Angels," an award-winning feature film about women’s suffrage

Jan. 23, 2020
History on the Rocks: “Caucus and Cocktails,” with activities focused on Iowa’s role in presidential politics and the march toward women’s suffrage