ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Recorded in black and white, the history of women voting actually comes in many shades of gray.
What You Need To Know
- Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in voting
- Many southern states worked to only allow whites to vote even after the 19th amendment passed
- Part 1: 100 Years of 19th Amendment: Florida's Role Before, During, and Now
“So this is from the 1950s, and as you can see they are hand typed," said Linsey Grove. She is combing through some of the histories of the St. Petersburg League of Women Voters.
“This one is June 1952," as she slides notes out of a manila folder.
Grove is the chapter President.
“The St. Petersburg League, we were the, we were originally apart of the founding of the Florida league in 1939. So we even have a very long history in Florida and in this area," said Grove.
But even after the passage of the 19th amendment, many southern states worked hard to make sure it was only white women voting.
“In fact, Carrie Chapman Catt, who is our founder, also was a devout racist. So, part of I think this 100 year anniversary is also acknowledging our history," said Grove.
“The responsibility we hold in American with regards to having to educate ourselves to so much African American history, because the absence there of is critical in particularly today," said Terri Lipsey Scott, Dr. Carter G Woodson African American Museum Executive Director.
Like Grove, Lipsey Scott works daily to educate future and current generations on the truth and dark parts of women's history.
“Women like Frannie Lou Hammer, and Ella Baker, and Diane Nash, and so many others who were on the forefront of carrying that message forth," said Lipsey Scott.
It would take decades of struggle, protest and activists before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed. The legislation worked to fight the racism preventing African Americans from getting to the polls. The determination it took to keep fighting was immense, and it's a determination still held by many activists today.
“Little by little we go forward. I would like to think that we might be further in this progress, but again it is never too late to do the right thing," said Lipsey Scott. “We will not be deterred. So considering still the avenues we must take in order to ensure that our votes are cast.”
“I think it is our job to ensure that all voices are included, because I think there are some parts of the community that feel like their voices are being left out," said Grove.
This story is just part two of a three part series by Spectrum Bay News 9 Weekend Anchor Erin Murray.