In 1915 Florence Cotnam became the first woman to address the Arkansas State Assembly while in session.
Cotnam was a member of the Political Equality League and the Equal Suffrage Central Committee, organizations that had been lobbying the Assembly for an amendment to the Arkansas constitution guaranteeing a woman’s right to vote in every election alongside men.
Recognizing the increasing political clout held by women, in January 1918 the Arkansas House adopted a suffrage amendment by a vote of eighty-seven to two. The state senate soon followed with a positive vote of twenty-two to five. The resolution was set to be ratified by voters on the 1920 ballot.
To learn more, visit ARvotesforwomen.com.