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Letter from Anna Lawther of the Iowa Equal Suffrage Association to County Chairman, November 13, 1918

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Courtesy of University of Iowa Libraries and Archives, Lawther, Anna, "Speeches and letters by Anna Lawther, 1910s," 13 November 1918

Description 

In a letter to a county chairman, Anna Lawther states that the secretary of state forgot to publish the suffrage amendment in newspapers prior to the June 5 election which led to the amendment’s defeat. She urges the chairman to write their state and federal representatives and secure written pledges that they will support women’s suffrage amendments when they are presented.

Transcript of Anna Lawther's Letter to County Chairman

Source-Dependent Questions

  • Who does Anna Lawther say is to blame for the defeat of Iowa women's suffrage in 1916? She wrote that "This carelessness is inexcusable, but nevertheless must be endured ..." Why must this action endured by women rather than acted upon?
  • What hope does Lawther offer that women's suffrage is still possible? Why would the federal amendment be the quickest path for women's voting rights in Iowa?
  • Infer as to why a person might not have wanted to help Lawther.

Citation Information 

Lawther, Anna, "Speeches and letters by Anna Lawther, 1910s," 13 November 1918. Courtesy of University of Iowa Libraries and Archives