"A rose by another name would smell just as sweet."
(Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet)
...or would it?
One rose was likely sweeter at the Tennessee General Assembly held in Nashville, Tn in 1920 depending on your position on Women's Suffrage. Particular rose colors actually represented distinct meaning to the women at the end of the long, hard road leading up to acquiring the right to vote as an American citizen. Yellow roses were worn by Suffragists (supporters of the woman's right to vote) at the Tennessee General Assembly in 1920, while red roses were worn by Anti-Suffragists ("TSLA:: "Remember the," 2009). Not only did these symbols make a statement, but they were also the equivalent of advertisements serving a unique purpose. The prominence of one color of rose over another spoke loudly to the state representatives about the consensus of public opinion. This knowledge would have greatly affected their decisions on this landmark occasion.
This site is designed to show Tennessee's role in the passage of the landmark legislation giving women the right to vote. A virtual tour will show both the Tennessee's Woman Suffrage Monument (Knoxville, Tn) honoring three women which helped to secure victory in Tennessee as well as an introduction to a prominent display at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum (Athens, Tn) which has been dedicated to the Suffragettes . A brief history giving background information of the movement is also provided, which is needed to understand the dedication that brought us to where we are today. Through technology, imagery, and documents may you get a new understanding of the challenges of the Women's Suffrage Movement as well as an appreciation for the effects of the movement which gives women the right, responsibility, and privilege to participate in American democracy through voting.
(Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet)
...or would it?
One rose was likely sweeter at the Tennessee General Assembly held in Nashville, Tn in 1920 depending on your position on Women's Suffrage. Particular rose colors actually represented distinct meaning to the women at the end of the long, hard road leading up to acquiring the right to vote as an American citizen. Yellow roses were worn by Suffragists (supporters of the woman's right to vote) at the Tennessee General Assembly in 1920, while red roses were worn by Anti-Suffragists ("TSLA:: "Remember the," 2009). Not only did these symbols make a statement, but they were also the equivalent of advertisements serving a unique purpose. The prominence of one color of rose over another spoke loudly to the state representatives about the consensus of public opinion. This knowledge would have greatly affected their decisions on this landmark occasion.
This site is designed to show Tennessee's role in the passage of the landmark legislation giving women the right to vote. A virtual tour will show both the Tennessee's Woman Suffrage Monument (Knoxville, Tn) honoring three women which helped to secure victory in Tennessee as well as an introduction to a prominent display at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum (Athens, Tn) which has been dedicated to the Suffragettes . A brief history giving background information of the movement is also provided, which is needed to understand the dedication that brought us to where we are today. Through technology, imagery, and documents may you get a new understanding of the challenges of the Women's Suffrage Movement as well as an appreciation for the effects of the movement which gives women the right, responsibility, and privilege to participate in American democracy through voting.