The Nineteenth

Pauline Esther Phillips entered households around the country under the pen name Abigail Van Buren … As people wrote letters to their friend … "Dear Abby" Iowa was the tenth state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on July 2, 1919. Pauline Esther Phillips jumped into writing in 1956 when reading the San Francisco Chronicles’ advice column. Convinced she could do better, she seized the opportunity to show her writing and captured the position. The editor, Stanleigh Arnold, gave her some letters to reply to, which she returned immediately, receiving “fabulous” reviews and hired her on the spot. Her pen name, Abigail Van Buren, was coined off an Old Testament prophetess from 1 Samuel and the last name of President Van Buren. Her twin sister, Esther Pauline (really) also was a columnist, and was a rival of Pauline Esther. They shared much over their lives being both columnists, namesakes, and even married in a joint ceremony. This did not stop tearing them apart for a sh

Sandra Day O'Connor to the seat no women had ever sat in before. And now we have leaders claiming them in all the highest positions. The most women in Congress. Women nominees for President. This is revolution. Texas was the ninth state to ratify the amendment on June 28, 1919. Ronald Reagan vowed to declare a woman to the Supreme Court Justice, and succeeded in nominating Mrs. O’Connor, taking her seat on September 25, 1981. The nomination was fought by conservatives because they perceived her stance on abortion too open and liberal. Because she did not stand openly and loudly against abortion, people doubted her support of Reagan’s platform. Her nomination included the first televised hearing for the public. Her publicity was confirmed with over 60,000 letters from the public in her first year of office, more than any SOJ in history. She was confirmed a vote of 99-0 by the Senate, the only missing vote from Montana, who regretfully noted they were absent. SOJ O’Connor fr

Aly Raisman stood with her peers against a legacy and an entire organization that turned a blind eye to the issues young gymnasts faced. Massachusetts is the eighth state to ratify the amendment on June 25, 1919. Ms. Raisman was a star gymnast from an early age, competing nationally in world competitions from the age of 12. As captain of the “Fierce Five” at the 2012 Olympics, they victoriously took back Olympic gold for the all team event, the first time since 1996. She returned with a total of 3 medals. The Rio 2016 Olympics brought the “Final Five”, as the final five person team coached by Marta Karolyi, with her winning three medals - gold for the team competition, and silver for both the floor and individual all-around, second in both only to her teammate Simone Biles. Ms. Raisman led the team as captain, and, because of her age of 22, jokingly referred to as “Grandma”. Her maturity and support given to the team brought them together as the American dream. Her strength and