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Date Created: 8/25/2026

In addition to granting women the right to vote, the 1911 women’s suffrage amendment also paved the way for women to hold political office in California. In 1918, Esto B. Broughton, Elizabeth Hughes, Anna L. Saylor, and Grace S. Dorris became the first four women elected to the California State Assembly. Though fifteen states had already granted women full voting rights, a federal amendment was required to secure nationwide suffrage. To push for this national change, two almost identical resolutions were introduced on January 9, 1919 to urge the U.S. Congress to move forward with “the amendment to the National Constitution known as ‘The Federal Suffrage Amendment.’". On just her third day in office, newly elected Assemblywoman Grace S. Dorris introduced Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1. Simultaneously, Senate Joint Resolution No. 3 was introduced by Senator Burnett, a male colleague in the State Senate. While Dorris's historic Assembly bill ultimately died in committee, its twin Senate resolution successfully advanced, passing both chambers on January 17, 1919.

Date Created: 8/24/2026

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 21, 1919 and the U.S. Senate on June 4, 1919 in a special congressional session. The amendment was then sent to the states for ratification. On October 25, 1919, Governor William D. Stephens issued a proclamation calling the California Legislature into a special session to consider ratification. When lawmakers convened on November 1, 1919, California ratified the amendment, becoming the 18th state to do so. The 19th Amendment received the required approval of 36 states on August 18, 1920, establishing that voting rights could not be denied on account of sex nationwide. Finally, on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution, granting women in the United States the right to vote on the federal level. This day is still commemorated and known today as Women’s Equality Day.

Date Created: 7/31/2026

In addition to granting women the right to vote, the 1911 women’s suffrage amendment also paved the way for women to hold political office in California. In 1918, Esto B. Broughton, Elizabeth Hughes, Anna L. Saylor, and Grace S. Dorris became the first four women elected to the California State Assembly. Though fifteen states had already granted women full voting rights, a federal amendment was required to secure nationwide suffrage. To push for this national change, two almost identical resolutions were introduced on January 9, 1919 to urge the U.S. Congress to move forward with “the amendment to the National Constitution known as ‘The Federal Suffrage Amendment.’". On just her third day in office, newly elected Assemblywoman Grace S. Dorris introduced Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1. Simultaneously, Senate Joint Resolution No. 3 was introduced by Senator Burnett, a male colleague in the State Senate. While Dorris's historic Assembly bill ultimately died in committee, its twin Senate resolution successfully advanced, passing both chambers on January 17, 1919.

Date Created: 7/31/2026