The rights for women to vote and even the rights for women to run for a political office are things that were not given to us easily; they had to be fought for. Have you ever stopped to think of what we had to do to earn such a privilege?  On Thursday, April 19, 2012, The Dubuque League of Women Voters will host a free showing of an HBO Production film called “Iron Jawed Angels” at 6:30 PM at the James Kennedy Public Library.  This film is a 2004 made-for-television movie sponsored by HBO Productions and the Iowa Women’s Foundation.  It is graphic retelling of the battle our female ancestors waged so all women could pull the curtain at the polling booth.  It is a story of mothers and grandmothers who lived only 94 years ago.

The film starts in 1918 showing what American women endured when standing up to fight for their right to vote and to ensure that future generations receive this right.  These women picketed the White House. Women were jailed, beaten, chained to cell bars, bleeding and gasping for air; some went on hunger strikes - just so all women have the right to go to a poll and cast their opinion.  Because of what the women of 1918 stood for, finally, in 1920 women were given the right to vote.

I am proud to say I am a female elected official.  I strongly and proudly say I am the great, great granddaughter of a suffragette who lived in Welton, Iowa. Suffragettes were the woman that stood together to proclaim they wanted to help make rules and laws by casting a simple vote and ensuring our generations will continue to do so. My great, great grandmother paved the way for me and I am deeply honored to hold my seat for her.  Today there are so many women that have and still do hold elected offices because of what the Iron Jawed Angels did for us.   The power of a voice and the power for the right to pull the curtain at a polling booth were not given to us easily.  Our ability to cast a vote is sometimes overlooked and this film is a reminder to take a small amount of time on Election Day to pull that curtain at a polling booth and check a box on a ballot.  Our ancestors did what they did for us and are proud of what they have done.  It is our responsibility to carry on their legacy by casting a simple vote.  I hope you take some time on Thursday, April 19^th @ 6:30 PM to come out and view what so many of us take for granted, the right to vote.  Please come to the James Kennedy Public Library in Dyersville, Iowa to view this powerful film and join in the discussion that the representatives from the Dubuque League of Women voters will lead.