Skip to Main Content
UCO Chambers Library logo

Chambers Library Exhibitions

Rightfully Hers

August 2020

Max Chambers Library and the National Archives commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment with Rightfully Hers. The popup exhibit contains simple messages exploring the history of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, women's voting rights before and after the amendment, and its impact today. In addition, some early 20th century photos from UCO's image collections are included.

The Rightfully Hers display was created by the National Archives and is presented in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Unilever, Pivotal Ventures, Carl M. Freeman Foundation in honor of Virginia Allen Freeman, AARP, and Denise Gwyn Ferguson.

For more information about the exhibit and the full text for each panel, click the link below

Rightfully Hers Exhibit Booklet

Panel 1: Before the 19th Amendment

When the nation's founders drafted the Constitution in 1787, they made no mention of women in the document that outlined how our Government was to operate. At the time, women were generally excluded from political and, in many ways, public life. Enslaved women were excluded entirely. White women were considered under the protection and authority of their husbands or fathers. In most cases, they could not vote, own property, make contracts, go to court, or control any money they earned.