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The fight for women’s suffrage in Washington state is a unique story that explores themes of voting rights and social movements for change.

Women in Washington gained the right to vote in 1910, and women nationwide gained that right in 1920. In honor of these anniversaries, the Washington State Historical Society created curriculum to share the story of this struggle with students.

Below, find links to four Inquiry Design Model (IDM) lesson plans with primary source materials from WSHS’s collection. We also have developed a lesson plan to support students as they research Washington’s state’s suffragists and contribute to an online timeline.

Learn more about Washington’s celebration of the women’s suffrage centennial at suffrage100wa.com. There, you can also learn more about our free, printable panel exhibit.

Lesson Plans for 4th Grade

Why is the right to vote important? 

4th grade, Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Lesson Plan: Why is the right to vote important?

Why is the right to vote important? Why did women fight for and win the right to vote in Washington state? What happened when they did?

View the lesson plan here.

How can ideas spread and lead to change?

4th grade, Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Lesson Plan: How can ideas spread and lead to change?

How can ideas spread and lead to change? How did suffragists in Washington spread their ideas? And how did ideas move from the state level to the national suffrage movement?

View the lesson plan here.

Lesson Plans for 7th Grade

Why is the right to vote important?

7th grade, Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Lesson Plan: Why is the right to vote important?

Why is the right to vote important? Why did women fight for and win the right to vote in Washington state? What happened when they did?

View the lesson plan here.

How can ideas spread and lead to change?

7th grade, Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Lesson Plan: How can ideas spread and lead to change?

How can ideas spread and lead to change? How did suffragists in Washington spread their ideas? And how did ideas move from the state level to the national suffrage movement?

View the lesson plan here.

Lesson Plans for Middle & High School

Interactive Timeline Lesson Plan

Contributing to a Collaborative Timeline of Washington State Women’s History

In recognition of the centennial of voting rights for women in the United States, the Washington State Historical Society is asking teachers and students across the state to collaborate to craft a timeline of Washington women’s history. In this lesson plan, students from across the state will contribute content to a single, shared timeline using the Tiki Toki platform.

View the lesson plan here.