Ninety years ago today a War of Roses was won. For seventy-two years prior to that the war had been waged on various fronts, and included in the ranks of this fine army were such noteworthy Americans as Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglas, Lucy Stone, William Lloyd Garrison, Carrie Chapman Catt, Alice Paul, and Lucy Burns. The story of this war and the 19^th Amendment was long forgotten until a new group of women and men decided to resurrect it from the dustbin of history, telling it in nearly every medium we have for such stories today, from historical scholarship to storybooks to Hollywood movies.

The War of Roses was really the last battle in the long fight for women’s suffrage in America. It happened on just one hot, Tennessee day, though the groundwork for it had been in progress for decades. Carrie Chapman Catt had been at work for weeks in Tennessee, undertaking a massive campaign to build support as Alice Paul healed from the injuries she incurred in prison fighting for just this vote. On August 18^th, the Tennessee legislature met to take up the matter of the 19^th Amendment to the United States Constitution. If passed, it would be the vote that led to ratification. Other factions had also been hard at work, fighting to see the Amendment defeated. We call it the War of Roses today because supporters of the amendment wore yellow roses, and opponents war red roses.

I love the rich symbolism of this particular story. The view of roses adorning the lapels of every one of the all-male Tennessee state legislature must have been a sight to behold as they debated whether to allow women to participate fully in the democratic process. Then there is the matter of how it came to pass, and how the relationship between a son and his mother made history happen. For 24-year-old Harry Burn had twice voted against the amendment before the final vote was called. The second vote had proved one vote shy of ratification. Burn changed his vote on the next and final vote. In doing so, he risked his life, for he was then chased around the building by red-rosed opponents. But what could he do? His mother’s appeal, tucked away in a telegram in his waistcoat, finally persuaded him. That telegram said:

Dear Son: Hurrah, and vote for suffrage! Don’t keep them in doubt. I noticed some of the speeches against. They were bitter. I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet. Don’t forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt [Carrie Chapman Catt] put the ‘rat’ in ratification. Signed, Your Mother.
~Febb Ensminger Burn

This charming telegram and a young man’s love for his mother played an important role in winning the War of Roses, ninety years ago today. On August 26^th we will celebrate the 90^th anniversary of passage of the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution, officially known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. Today, 73% of American women are registered to vote because of this amendment, and generations of women have participated in our political process. Perhaps if more women knew this story and other stories about our struggle to participate fully, more would register. Over the next nine days we’ll be sure to post more of this history, particularly some of the unsung heroes like Burns and his mother. What will you do to celebrate this important anniversary?