First to Ratify

press release: Please join LWV Wisconsin and LWV Dane County as we mark the 100th anniversary of Wisconsin’s ratification of the 19th Amendment on Sunday, June 23rd, at the Forward statue on the Capitol Square (State Street corner) for a program highlighting the importance of Wisconsin’s first-to-ratify vote, how it gave hope to many women but not to all.

The program will feature Joy Cardin, former Wisconsin Public Radio host, state Representatives Joan Ballweg and Melissa Sargent, and first person interpreter Rose Stephenson portraying Ripon-born suffragist and founder of the League of Women Voters, Carrie Chapman Catt, among other presenters. 

After the short program, join us in a spirited march around Capitol Square led by the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland while singing along with the lively Raging Grannies. League members will be on hand to assist the public with voter registration. Families and friends can make a suffrage sash, enjoy free frozen vanilla custard, take a photo in the Forward statue pose, and view the Wisconsin Historical Society exhibit, The Woman’s Hour Has Struck, Wisconsin: The First State to Ratify the 19th Amendment, now on display in the Capitol Rotunda. 

We encourage everyone who attends the event to wear white in honor of the suffragists, who fought tirelessly for over 70 years for women’s right to vote.

Then head over for Forward Theater's performance on suffrage narratives. TWO STEPS FORWARD MONOLOGUE FESTIVAL at Promenade Hall in Overture Center at 2pm.

Join in the rallying cry, Forward! Wisconsin -  FIRST TO RATIFY - 19th Amendment, in remembrance of the day Wisconsin promptly acted to grant national suffrage to women.