New Hampshire Ratifies the 19th Amendment, September 10, 1919

After the Civil War and the success of the abolition movement, many female reformers turned to the women’s suffrage cause. In New Hampshire abolitionists Armenia S. and Nathaniel White founded the New Hampshire Woman Suffrage Association in 1868. Women immediately advocated for the right to vote in the state and some—such as Marilla Marks Young Ricker—tried to vote and hold office (unsuccessfully). In 1871, New Hampshire women could serve on school committees and in 1878 they could vote in school elections. However, attempts to pass legislation for full suffrage were defeated in 1887 and 1903. There was strong opposition to women’s suffrage in the state, formalized in the New Hampshire Association Opposed to Further Suffrage for Women. With little progress in the state, New Hampshire suffragists focused on supporting the passage of a federal amendment. When Congress passed the 19^th Amendment, New Hampshire voted to ratify it on September 10, 1919. 

Coles, Barbara. "Lost in History: Ever Heard of Armenia White? Most people haven't." New Hampshire Magazine. July 16, 2020. Accessed June 30, 2021. https://www.nhmagazine.com/lost-in-history/.

"New Hampshire and the 19th Amendment." National Park Service. August 9, 2019. Accessed June 30, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/articles/new-hampshire-and-the-19th-amendment.htm.