Passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. That was almost 100 years ago! There is much talk this year about the part that women can play in shifting the balance of power in our government. I am not so naive that I believe women will all vote for candidates who support equal rights, who value the truth, who will protect the earth and fight for the marginalized. No, they won't all vote the way I would like them to, but I would protect their right to vote (no matter how misguided they are!). This year, everyone should reflect on the long, hard battle that was fought so that women would be allowed to vote. Don't waste that right!

Crossing stones /Frost, Helen   F FRO  This is a lovely book written in verse. In their own voices, four young people tell of their experiences during the first World War, as the boys enlist and are sent overseas, Emma finishes school, and Muriel fights for peace and women's suffrage.

Not for ourselves alone : the story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony/305.42 WAR

Born for liberty : a history of women in America /Evans, Sara M.  305.4 EVA

Founding sisters and the Nineteenth Amendment /Clift, Eleanor   324.6 CLI

For young feminists:

Rabble rousers : 20 women who made a difference /Harness, Cheryl.   J BC HAR

Susan B. Anthony : fighter for women's rights /Hopkinson, Deborah.   J B HOP

A woman for president : the story of Victoria Woodhull /Krull, Kathleen.   J B WOO

(Photo: Would you guess that one of these girls (shown in 1913) became a spy and another was a scientist? Women can do much when allowed.)