In commemoration of Women's Equality Day, which celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 giving women the right to vote, in various communities there will be a special showing of the 2004 HBO movie Iron Jawed Angels. Iron Jawed Angels stars academy award winner Hillary Swank as Alice Paul (1885 – 1977), a leader of the women's suffrage movement.
Many of today's women do not realize how long and arduous a fight it was for women to receive the right the vote. The first women's rights convention was organized in 1848 and it was not until 72 years later in 1920 that the dream was realized.
Iron Jawed Angels tells the story of Alice Paul and her colleagues during the last few years of the suffrage movement and their unflappable determination to convince President Woodrow Wilson, the Congress and the state legislatures to pass the 19th Amendment. The suffragists battle older, more conservative female activists, chauvinistic public opinion, and very powerful men. The women are eventually thrown in jail and make headline news around the country with their hunger strike. The term "iron jawed angels" refers to their resistance at being force fed during their hunger strike. It is their wills, however, that are made of iron and their courage inspires a nation and changes it forever.
Any woman who sees this film will never look at voting the same way again.
Regardless of your political views or political persuasion, it is SO important to be involved and to vote! One year, my dad ran for office and lost that election by only 9 votes. This year in a municipal primary in Florence, SC, there was a one-vote difference! There are all kinds of stories about the importance of one vote. They are TRUE!!!!! YOU are an important part of the election process. YOU can make a difference -- for yourself, your spouse, your children, your parents and your community!
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