Decade of Change- The Year Black Women Were Granted the Right to Vote

What year were black women allowed to vote? This is a question that resonates with the history of civil rights and the ongoing struggle for equality in the United States. The year in question is 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. However, it is important to note that this victory was bittersweet, as black women were still excluded from this right due to systemic racism and discrimination. It wasn’t until 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act, that black women gained full and equal voting rights, marking a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality.

The journey to voting rights for black women is a complex and often overlooked part of American history. It began with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, where women, including African American women, demanded the right to vote. However, the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted voting rights to black men, but failed to extend this right to black women. The exclusion of black women from the voting process was a result of the Jim Crow laws and the pervasive racism that permeated American society at the time.

Despite the obstacles, black women continued to fight for their right to vote. The National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) played pivotal roles in this struggle. They advocated for voting rights, fought against discriminatory practices, and organized voter registration drives. One of the most notable figures in this movement was Ida B. Wells, a journalist and activist who tirelessly fought for the voting rights of black women.

The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, was a significant step forward for women’s rights, but it did not include black women. This exclusion was a direct result of the white suffragettes’ decision to prioritize the rights of white women over those of black women. The National Association of Colored Women and other civil rights organizations were disappointed and frustrated by this outcome, but they did not give up their fight.

It wasn’t until 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act, that black women gained full and equal voting rights. This landmark legislation aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The Voting Rights Act was a crucial victory for the civil rights movement and marked the beginning of a new era of equality for black women in the United States.

In conclusion, the year black women were allowed to vote is a complex question with two significant milestones: 1920, when women gained the right to vote, and 1965, when black women gained full and equal voting rights. The journey to this achievement was fraught with challenges and discrimination, but the resilience and determination of black women and their allies have paved the way for a more just and equal society.