Equality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America

“The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?” --W. E. B. Du Bois W. E. B. Du Bois  (1868-1963), civil rights activist, scholar, and writer, was born  February 23, 1868 . The following are some links to learn more: Zinn Education Project article about W. E. B. Du Bois NAACP biography of W. E. B. Du Bois Encyclopedia Brittanica article about W. E. B. Du Bois National Women's History Museum article about W. E. B. Du Bois Smithsonian Magazine's article about W. E. B. Du Bois' infographics This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more.

"There is no great; there is no small; in the mind that causeth all." --Zitkala-Ša Zitkala-Ša  (1876-1938), civil rights activist and writer, was born February 22, 1876 . The following are some links to learn more: National Park Service biography of Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin) Encylopedia Brittanica entry on Zitkala-Sa Library of Congress brief biographical entry on Zitkála-Šá National Museum of American History entry on Zitkala Sa This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more.

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” --John Lewis John Lewis  (1940-2020), civil rights activist and politician, was born  February 21, 1940 . The following are some links to learn more: Encyclopedia Brittanica biography of John Lewis Learning for Justice interview with John Lewis Time Magazine article by John Lewis about the struggle for the Voting Rights Act New York Times obituary of John Lewis National Park Service biography of John Lewis The Guardian article about John Lewis' graphic novel autobiography This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more.

"It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people—women as well as men." --Susan B. Anthony Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), abolitionist and suffragist, was born February 15, 1820 .  The following are some links to learn more: National Women's History Museum biography of Susan B. Anthony Encyclopedia Brittanica biography of Susan B. Anthony National Geographic article about Susan B. Anthony National Park Service biography of Susan B. Anthony Smithsonian brief article about Susan B. Anthony History.com article about early suffragists excluding Black women NYT article about how the suffrage movement betrayed Black women This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that highlight some of t...

"Slavery is not abolished until the black man has the ballot." --Frederick Douglass The exact birthdate of abolitionist, author, and statesman Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895) is unknown, but observed on February 14 .  The following links can help you learn more: Zinn Education Project Frederick Douglass teaching materials National Park Service article about Frederick Douglass Encyclopedia Brittanica entry on Frederick Douglass National Civil Rights Museum biography of Frederick Douglass National Women's History Museum entry about Frederick Douglass Time magazine article about Frederick Douglass' 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July' speech WBUR article about Frederick Douglass' portraits This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more.

I put together a short video to explain and explore the concept of gerrymandering. Feel free to use in your virtual and in-person classrooms. Let me know of any questions and suggestions. It's available on YouTube at this link:  https://youtu.be/WpBbLgc5p5E It's also available on FaceBook at this link:  https://www.facebook.com/DeborahDiesen/posts/451892106170979 Or you can view it below.

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."   --The 15th Amendment The third of the Reconstruction Amendments, the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified February 3, 1870, and affirmed the right of formerly enslaved Black men to vote.  After its passage, many states enacted laws that created discriminatory barriers to voting. Jim Crow laws and intimidation tactics, including violence, suppressed Black voting, especially in Southern states. The following are some links to learn more: Encyclopedia Brittanica article about the 15th Amendment National Park Service article about the 15th Amendment Learning for Justice  lesson on Reconstruction Amendments Zinn Education Project this-day-in-history entry on the ratification of the 15th Amendment as well as  teaching materials about the 15th Amendment American Experience article, " Passage...

Harriet Forten Purvis (1810-1875), abolitionist and suffragist, was born in 1810. The following are some links to learn more: History of American Women profile of Harriet Forten Purvis Turning Point Suffragist Memorial profile of Harriet Forten Purvis PBS Africans in America   profile of the Forten women, including Harriet Forten Purvis Mental Floss article about 10 Black suffragists you should know, including Harriet Forten Purvis National Park Service article about women's suffrage in the mid-Atlantic states First Wave Feminisms profile of Harriet Forten Purvis This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more