And, by the way, what’s going on with milk?
It’s fairly well-know that women were granted the right to vote in 1920 when Congress ratified the 19th Amendment. At that time, a gallon of milk cost $0.35.
After decades of arguments for and against women’s suffrage, Congress finally passed the 19th Amendment June 4, 1919. After Congress approved the 19th Amendment, at least 36 states needed to vote in favor of it for it to become law. This process is called ratification. And exactly that many states voted for ratification by August 26, 1920.
“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.”
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
But did you know. . . . eight months before Congressional ratification, though, South Carolina voted to reject the 19th Amendment.
It wasn’t until July 1, 1969, that South Carolina showed its support for women’s suffrage by officially ratifying the 19th Amendment.
And the price of milk was $1.10, more than three times the cost in 1920.
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LEARN MORE
South Carolina and the 19th Amendment (Aug 27, 2019; National Park Service)
100 years of suffrage: SC women in the fight for voting rights, equality (Page Ivey, Aug 6, 2020, Updated Aug. 6, 2020; University of South Carolina)
How SC women fought for and earned the right the vote (Maura Hogan, Aug 18, 2020, Updated Jan 22, 2021; The Post and Courier)
SC waited until 1969 to ratify the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote (T. Michael Boddie, Jun 30, 2019, Updated Sep 14, 2020; The Post and Courier)
5 Myths About the 19th Amendment and Women’s Suffrage, Debunked (Olivia B. Waxman; Aug 18, 2020; Time.com)
![](https://lwvandersonsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/milkad_09.03.2022.png)
ABOUT THE MILK
Here’s the Price of Milk the Year You Were Born (Lauren Cahn, May 6, 2022; Taste of Home
Why milk prices are up (Scott Simon, Nov 6, 2021; NPR)
Milk Production | What really drives the price of milk? (Katharina Kropshofer, Oct 23, 2020; foodunfolded.com)
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NIKKI POWELL
Nikki Powell is a rabble rouser at heart and fits in just fine with the LWV Anderson SC crowd. Nikki is an advocate and activist for many social justice issues, including reproductive justice, criminal justice reform, and Appalachian girls’ education. She’s also a Janeite, a devotee of Jane Austen, and co-Regional Coordinator for JASNA SC. Big goal: Jane Austen’s England in 2025!
Something Nikki thinks about a lot: “Truth is the answer, love is the light.”