A Rutherford student is the winner of a statewide competition aimed at teaching students about ratification of the 19th Amendment and Tennessee's important role in helping women gain the right to vote.
State Sen. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, and State Sen. Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro announced Aug. 21 that Sadie Call, a 4th-grader at McFadden School of Excellence, is a winner of the Battle for the Ballot contest. The competition asked students across Tennessee in grades K-12 to submit projects reflecting historical aspects and the issues related to the Women's Suffrage movement. Call's winning entry was a poem for which she was awarded an Apple iPad.
"I'm so proud of Sadie and all of the very talented students from across the state who participated. I appreciate their teachers and parents for encouraging them to learn more about Women's Suffrage and Tennessee's leadership in advancing and strengthening democracy for our entire nation," Rudd said.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 marked the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment and Tennessee's role in granting women the right to vote. Members of the General Assembly in June passed legislation officially designating Aug. 18 of each year an official day of observation commemorating the day Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"Congratulations to Sadie for winning a statewide contest with a remarkable poem that captures the historical significance of Tennessee's role in the fight for women's suffrage," White said. "This contest presented students with a unique opportunity to learn more about this historic event and how Tennessee stood up for women's right to vote. I was proud to sponsor the legislation declaring August 18th Women's Suffrage Day in Tennessee, so we will always remember the uphill battle fought by the suffragists. I am grateful so many men and women came together 100 years ago in Tennessee and passed the 19th Amendment, opening doors for generations of women."
Elementary students were asked to create banners with slogans or write a poem; middle schoolers created public service announcements and high school students wrote speeches or created a short documentary. Prizes were awarded to the top three winners in four categories and included several TNStars 529 scholarships totaling $50,000 and Apple Ipads.
The statewide contest was sponsored by the Official Committee of the State of Tennessee Woman Suffrage Centennial, the Tennessee Department of Education, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, the Tennessee State Museum, the First Lady's Office, and the Tennessee Secretary of State's office.
For resources and to learn more about the vital role Tennessee played in securing women's right to vote, visit the official website for the State of Tennessee Woman Suffrage Centennial at tnwoman100.com.
For information about the Tennessee Treasury Department's TNStars 529 college savings program, visit tnstars.com.