In August 2020, the United States celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment which granted women the right to vote.

Virginia was not one of the states that ratified the 19th amendment in 1920. Perhaps because of this legal suppression by the state, the story of Virginia suffragists has since gone untold– shelved into the archives of local history museums–until now. 

Historians and modern activists illuminate the struggles and triumphs of Virginia women as they fought to secure their right to vote during the Jim Crow era, a time of reinforced white supremacy and voter suppression in the South. It’s a story that encapsulates our nation’s long history of voting restrictions and racial injustice. 

The accomplishments and sacrifices of these suffragists of a century ago leaves a legacy that inspires generations of people to continue fighting for a more equitable world today and in the future.

Produced by Orange Frame Productions

Presented by VPM
Support from the Women’s Suffrage Virginia Centennial in partnership with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture