CLEVELAND, Ohio — A century may seem like a long time ago. But Kelly Falcone, the historian and president of the Western Reserve Historical Society, said women were fighting for equal rights long before they won the right to vote in 1920.  

What You Need To Know

  • August marked a century since the 19th Amendment gave women in the United States the right to vote

  • A virtual exhibit is sharing the stories of women involved in politics and shining a light on increasing significance on their civic engagement

  • The project was initiated to mark the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters Greater Cleveland and the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1920

“It can seem far removed. We are a relatively young nation among countries on the planet, and so we have to be very mindful and very aware of the fight that we've had to have to get these rights," Falcone said.

And in a short period of time, women have become the voices that helped shape the political landscape of this country. According to a new analysis done by the Pew Research Center, in every U.S. presidential election dating back to 1984, women have turned out to vote at slightly higher rates than men.

Susan Murane of the League of Women Voters Greater Cleveland said women are increasingly exercising their right to vote. And she expects it to be no different in the upcoming presidential election.  

“Women have become very politically active, and I think women have become more comfortable in their roles as civic leaders. Look up the number of women who are turning out to run for election. I think women understand that we need ... we need childcare, we need protection from bullies, we need grocery stores in our neighborhood, we need public transportation systems that operate, we need good public schools. So, I think women are more attuned to the necessity of good government," Murane said. 

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization aimed at educate voters about candidates and issues. It has partnered with the Western Reserve Historical Society to launch a Women and Politics exhibit. The project was initiated to mark the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters Greater Cleveland  and the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1920. 

“It’s about women voters of Greater Cleveland. It's about women's suffrage. It's about human rights. And it's about empowerment," Falcone said.

Although the exhibit kicked off in virtual form last month p, aermanent installation of the exhibit will open in 2021 at the Cleveland History Center. Falcone said the exhibit is timely and timeless, as it will share the stories of women from all backgrounds who have made strides in politics, including Kamala Harris becoming the first woman of color on a major party's presidential ticket. 

“For this event—for this exhibit, I should say—to be happening in this moment, these stories have even greater meaning,” Falcone said.

“This is something that I hope that little girls will take away from and young women when they see this, that they will get the idea that I can change the world too, and that they will march out of the exhibit, looking for ways in which they can make the world better,” Murane said.