Friend,

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.

Those words were ratified 100 years ago today with the ratification of the 19th Amendment that allowed women the right to vote, finally. Before it was ratified, Sojourner Truth added thoughts of her own:

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.”

And I’m reminded of the quotes of two incredible women who came after. Starting with Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in Congress:

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

To Senator Kamala Harris, only the second Black woman to become a United States Senator, and the first Black and Asian American woman to serve on the ticket of a major political party:

“My mother had a saying: ‘Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.”

That’s the foundation that the 19th Amendment is built on. And for every woman across both the House and the Senate, there are roughly three men -- 38% of Democratic lawmakers are women. I’m committed to increasing that number in every election, every single time.

In honor of 100 years of women casting their ballots, serving in elected office, and hopefully soon shattering the glass ceiling, add your name to commit with me to increase gender diversity and parity in Congress.

Sincerely,

Chuck Schumer