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Women Get the Vote!

Women in many countries across the globe have historically been denied the right to vote. Students will explore the evolution of women's suffrage and create a poster featuring a notable suffragist.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Poster Board

Steps

  • Step 1

    The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote in 1920. Many countries preceded the United States in granting women's suffrage, many came after, and there are still places where women are not allowed to vote or have severe restrictions placed on them. Have students research the history of women's suffrage in various places. Ask them to learn about notable suffragists. In addition to famous names like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton of the USA, Nellie McClung of Canada, and Emmeline Pankhurst of England, have them research some lesser known women, such as Belva Lockwood (1830-1917), one of the first female lawyers in the United States and the first woman to appear on official ballots in 1884 and 1888 representing the National Equal Rights Party.

  • Step 2

    Have students create a poster about a notable suffragist. They can include information about the woman's life and accomplishments, illustrate it, and give it an eye-catching title.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their posters and discuss some of the information they learned about the suffragist they portrayed and the history of women's suffrage.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Analyze the causes and consequences of past events and developments, and place these in the context of the institutions, values and beliefs of the period in which they took place. 

SS: Civic Ideals and Practices: Explore views of citizenship in other times and places through stories and drama.

Adaptations

Have students learn about suffrage for Blacks in the United States and elsewhere and Indigenous peoples in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere. What was the  Voting Rights Act of 1965? When were Indigenous people in Canada permitted to vote without becoming enfranchised, which in this case meant revoking their Indian status?

Have students research the process of adding an amendment to the Constitution. Who has the authority to amend the Constitution? Who is responsible for the ratification process? What is required for it to pass?