Women of Vision
Honoring the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, 1920-2020
About This Exhibition
In recognition of the 100-year anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States, the Alaska State Museum is displaying highlights from the collection by women artists. These works span over a century and include recent acquisitions made possible by the Rasmuson Foundation.
The 19th Amendment is a resounding achievement in civil rights history. In 1920 the 19th Amendment guaranteed some women the right to vote. Other women were blocked from voting, including women of color and women married to foreign nationals.
American women spent over 70 years in a constant series of campaigns to convince male voters at the local, county, state, and national levels that women were citizens due the same voting rights as men. In 1913, this national effort achieved a significant victory when Alaskan women gained suffrage in the very first bill passed by Alaska’s new Territorial Legislature. Nine states had previously enfranchised women.
The old order is passing away. Behold all things becoming new,
wrote Alaskan suffragist Lena Morrow Lewis.
We present these works of art in honor of the visionary women who fought for and achieved the right to vote.
Gallery
Select any of the images to get a gallery view and read about that part of the exhibit.
Educational Activity
For a fun student activity: