Vermont
Vermont’s Fight for Suffrage
Women worked for over 70 years to get the vote. Divisions over race, tactics, and strategy did not stop suffrage efforts. Women kept their eyes on the prize . . . suffrage. Learn more about the fight for suffrage in Vermont in the timeline below, or download the timeline as a printable PDF.
Vermont’s Suffrage Timeline
1870
Suffragists created the Vermont Woman Suffrage Association (VWSA). Under Maria Hidden’s leadership, the VWSA held a Women’s Suffrage Convention in Montpelier. American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) speakers addressed attendees and inspired Vermont suffragists to launch a statewide campaign. VWSA urged state legislators to amend the state constitution to permit women to vote, but no legislator took up the proposal.
1879
VWSA campaigned for passage of a state suffrage amendment by hanging banners, writing legislative reports, and lobbying the legislature. Despite all of the suffragists’ efforts, Vermont legislators refused to approve even limited school suffrage voting rights.
1914
As suffrage support increased, suffragist groups coordinated meetings and lectures in 14 Vermont towns including Montpelier, Burlington, Rutland, Brattleboro, Barre, St. Johnsbury, and Middlebury.
1919
After Congress enacted the 19th Amendment, anti-suffragist Vermont Governor Percy Clement opted not to call the legislature into special session, preventing Vermont from providing one of the 36 required state votes.
1921
Vermont voters chose James Hartness over Governor Clement in the gubernatorial primary; Hartness proceeded to win the governorship.
February 8, 1921
Vermont ratified the 19th Amendment on February 8, 1921.
References
Clifford, D. (1975). Vermont History: An Invasion of Strong-Minded Women: The Newspapers and The Woman Suffrage Campaign in Vermont in 1870. Vermont Historical Society. https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/InvasionStrongMindedWomen.pdf
Kanell, B. (n.d.). Biographical Sketch of Maria Louisa Trenhom Hidden. Alexander Street. https://documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1011001847
Vermont and the 19th Amendment. (2019, August 23). National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/vermont-women-s-history.htm
Vermont Women’s Timeline in a National Context. (n.d.). Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance. https://vtsuffrage2020.org/vermont-womens-timeline-in-a-national-context/
Women Get the Vote, 1920. (n.d.). Vermont History. https://vermonthistory.org/women-get-vote-1920
Young, J. (2024, August 17). Remember When: Waking up Vermont, the 19th Century Version. Rutland Herald. https://www.rutlandherald.com/features/weekend_magazine/remember-when-waking-up-vermont-the-19th-century-version/article_81578afe-534f-11ef-9026-c3d0a8d72e92.html