WSHM from the Chihuly Bridge of Glass Native American beaded bags and beads color block Children enjoying the History Lab Time Connector The History Museum and the Museum of Glass color block Salish weavers in the Hall of History

Featured Exhibit

Women's Votes, Women's Voices

This exhibit is no longer at the Washington State History Museum.

You may check out Women's Votes, Women's Voices at the following museums:
Wenatchee -Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, Oct. 24 through Jan. 10, 2010
Yakima -Yakima Valley Museum, Feb. 11 through June 20, 2010
Seattle -Museum of History & Industry, July 17 through Oct. 3, 2010
Spokane -Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Oct 30, 2010 through June 26, 2011

Less than 100 years ago, women weren’t allowed to vote, but were required to pay taxes and abide by laws their male counterparts voted into place. Women from all economic and ethnic groups banded together to persuade the men of Washington to give them the right to vote. Find out how women in Washington state campaigned for women’s suffrage in Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices, at the Washington State History Museum.

Ladies in Washington campaign for women's rights.
(Whatcom Museum of History and Art)

On display through Sept. 27, learn how women’s voting influenced territorial and state history, such as prohibition laws. Through more than 200 artifacts, interactive kiosks and oral histories, learn how women from various ethnic and economic groups achieved a voice in public life.

This is the state’s lead activity celebrating the centennial anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in Washington.

Among the artifacts on display are famed suffragette Susan B. Anthony’s dress, cloak, glasses, inkwell, diary, and a rare copy of the Declaration of Sentiments, the original manifest of women’s rights, all on loan from the Women's Rights National Historical Park, the Susan B. Anthony House, and the Rochester Historical Society. Historic photos, ephemera, and artifacts from the Washington State Historical Society and numerous other Washington state organizations will also be on display.

Check out more events celebrating the centennial anniversary of Washington women's suffrage on the calendar of events page.

Women Putting Up Suffrage Posters
Women tacking up suffrage posters, 1910.(Washington State Historical Society)
Suffrage Cartoon
Women's suffrage cartoon, 1908.(Washington State Historical Society)
Suffragette Vote Getting Poster
Anti-suffrage poster, circa 1910.(Washington State Historical Society)

Learn more about women's suffrage at Stories.WashingtonHistory.org.





Organized by the Washington State History Museum, Washington Women’s History Consortium, and the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture in Spokane. Supported by the Frances C. Heidner Fund of The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Clear Channel Outdoor, Washington State Grange, and Pierce County Central Labor Council.



We are currently offering a discounted event package during the Suffrage Centennial. Visit our Suffragist Soiree page to learn more.

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