1.1A senate resolution
1.2honoring South St. Paul for 100 years of leadership in
1.3support of women's rights.
1.4
1.5WHEREAS, those communities that have taken a lead role in
1.6advancing equal rights for all perform an important service
1.7deserving of special legislative recognition; and
1.8WHEREAS, in 1905, when significant charter revisions were
1.9being considered and a special election was held, the city of
1.10South St. Paul became the first community to permit women to
1.11cast a vote; and
1.12WHEREAS, although the women's votes were not credited in
1.13the ultimate tally, they were recorded as a matter of public
1.14interest, and the 758 men who turned out to cast their votes
1.15were joined by 17 women in the first ward, 22 women in the
1.16second ward, and seven women in the third ward, for a total of
1.1746 voices from the distaff side; and
1.18WHEREAS, ingrained opinions against women's right to vote
1.19in the early 1900's made for a fierce battle for suffrage, as
1.20women sought to change attitudes which had been a part of daily
1.21life for centuries; and
1.22WHEREAS, the pioneering women of South St. Paul included
1.23many who were active in the suffrage movement throughout the
1.24county, and in many ways the employment opportunity created by
2.1the presence of the packing plants in the city had increased the
2.2community's awareness that if women could work, they could vote;
2.3and
2.4WHEREAS, finally, on August 26, 1920, the U.S. Congress
2.5ratified the 19th Amendment and granted women the right to vote
2.6across the country, and as soon as word came through of the
2.7ratification, the city of South St. Paul scheduled an election
2.8to be held the following morning regarding an $85,000 water bond
2.9bill; and
2.10WHEREAS, national media converged on South St. Paul that
2.11morning at 5:30 a.m., as 87 South St. Paul women became the
2.12first to vote in the United States, and in many ways it was a
2.13milestone for both women and the nation; and
2.14WHEREAS, June 16, 2005, marks the 100th anniversary of
2.15South St. Paul being the first community to allow women to cast
2.16a vote; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.17BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that
2.18it congratulates South St. Paul on its progressive history and
2.19support of women's rights, and honors the community on the 100th
2.20anniversary of its historic election which put it on the
2.21vanguard of the women's suffrage movement.
2.22BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is
2.23directed to prepare an enrolled copy of this resolution, to be
2.24authenticated by his signature and that of the Senate Majority
2.25Leader, and transmit it to the mayor of South St. Paul.