Library Presents 'To Make Our Voices Heard'

Lewis County Public Library presents "To Make Our Voices Heard: Tennessee Women's Fight for the Vote", a new traveling exhibition, on display now through September 30. The exhibition, created in partnership with the Tennessee State Museum and the Tennessee State Library and Archives, explores the history of the woman's suffrage movement, Tennessee's dramatic vote to ratify the 19th Amendment in 1920, and the years that followed.

"The library is honored to be selected as an exhibit site to recognize and honor Tennessee's role in this significant event in American history," stated Library Director and Archivist Crystal Nash. "I welcome everyone to come view this informative and interesting display on the 19th Amendment and to discover Lewis County's suffrage history."

The exhibition is constructed of multiple dynamic panels, offering guests a touch-free experience of archival images, engaging stories and introductions to the leaders of the fight for and against the cause of woman's suffrage. The stories begin by detailing the early challenges of racial and gender discrimination and continuing to the organization of African American and white women's associations to encourage political engagement.

Visitors will also learn about Febb Burn of McMinn County, whose letter to her son, Harry T. Burn, resulted in a last-minute vote that helped change women's history in the United States forever.

The exhibit includes a Tennessee map, highlighting suffragist activities across the state, including in Lewis County, where the Lewis County Herald commented that "The women of the U. S. are now legal voters and all political crooks had as well get down and out, if they do what they are and have been promising for several decades, and here's hoping they will." Additional information has been compiled by the library on the Suffrage Movement in Lewis County and the first women to run for and win an election.

"Tennessee's role in becoming the 36th and final state to ratify the 19th Amendment not only solidified women's right to vote but propelled women across the country to opportunities and futures they never thought possible," said Chuck Sherrill, State Librarian and Archivist with the Tennessee State Library & Archives. "The hope of the committee is this centennial celebration will do the same all across our state."

In coordination with this traveling exhibit, the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville will soon open Ratified! Tennessee Women and the Right to Vote, an extensive 8,000 square foot exhibition exploring the Women's Suffrage movement in Tennessee through archival images and documents, artifacts, films, interactive elements, and programming.

An online component of the exhibition, Ratified! Statewide! highlighting the suffrage movement in every Tennessee county is available now at tnmuseum.org.

"As we commemorate the historic vote that took place at Tennessee's State Capitol in August of 1920, we want to honor those individuals who played key roles in the journey to gain voting rights for women," said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum.  "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share these stories across the state."

Lewis County Public Library is conveniently located north of the Lewis County Court House. The library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, historical materials, and a variety of events ranging from story times to cultural programs and exhibits such as To Make Our Voices Heard. Suffrage-related collections include a variety of books on this topic, microfilmed local legislative records and historical newspapers. For more information, visit the library at 15 Kyle Avenue or call (931) 796-5365. Follow the library on Instagram @lewislibrary or like us on Facebook.