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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Suffragist of the Month: June 25, 1919 Massachusetts Ratifies the 19th Amendment


June 25, 1919 Massachusetts Ratifies the 19th Amendment:   Download the PDF


On June 4, 1919 Congress approved the 19th Amendment and forwarded it to the states for ratification.

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“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 sex.”

– 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

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Period postcard of the Massachusetts State House painted white to match the new east and west wings constructed of marble and granite. State Library of Massachusetts
Period postcard of the Massachusetts State House painted white to match the new east and west wings constructed of marble and granite.
- State Library of Massachusetts

Legislative Hearings
 At the Massachusetts State House the documents were referred to the legislative Committee on Federal Relations. Nearly 500 people, mostly women, attended hearings in the newly built East Wing. Advocates wore yellow marigolds. “Anti-suffragists” wore red roses. On June 14th, the Boston Globe reported that the morning was given to advocates, while the “antis” had their “innings” in the afternoon

The official text of the 19th Amendment was sent to Massachusetts under this cover. - Massachusetts Archives

The official text of the 19th Amendment was sent to Massachusetts under this cover.
- Massachusetts Archives

A second page transmitted the wording of the 19th Amendment. -Massachusetts Archive

A second page transmitted the wording of the 19th Amendment.
-Massachusetts Archive

True colors: yellow marigolds for suffragists, red roses for anti-suffragists during legislative hearings.Yellow was the preferred color for suffragists nationally. Some wore yellow roses or sunflowers.

The Massachusetts Senate approved the amendment on June 19th. June 25th would be the date of the final debate and vote in the House.

True colors: yellow marigolds for suffragists, red roses for anti-suffragists during legislative hearings.Yellow was the preferred color for suffragists nationally. Some wore yellow roses or sunflowers.
- State Library of Massachusetts