Today, Pope Consulting acknowledges the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. In honor of the amendment that gave many women in the United States the right to vote, we are taking some time to reflect on how far our nation has come in the last 100 years, and how much further we still need to go to build an inclusive country for all.

We recognize that many of us, at Pope Consulting and in our community at large, would not be able to vote 100 years ago. At the same time, we recognize that while the 19th Amendment effectively gave white women the right to vote, Black women and countless other women of color, who also fought for suffrage, continued to face obstacles in voting for the next 50+ years. And while literacy tests and poll taxes no longer exist, voter suppression is still alive today in many forms. For various reasons, citizens across the country still struggle to get registered and vote in 2020.

We believe that voting is a fundamental right of citizenship. Without a vote, Americans are too often left without a voice, equal protection, and meaningful change.

Join us in celebrating the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment and get registered to vote today. It is more important than ever to vote and use our voice to elect representatives that make decisions in our best interest. Exercise your right to vote this election cycle, whether that’s casting your ballot by mail or at the polls, to be an advocate for change and progress within our country. Learn how to register to vote and find the deadlines for voter registration for your state today.