it is still jaw-dropping to see a huge endeavor like this, a physical object move with this much dance almost with this much movement that are out of the parameters of the original design. our comcast cable partners work with the expanded cities to her staff when we travel to tacoma, washington. american singer and actor being crosby was warned in 1903. learn more about tacoma, a weekend on american history tv. >> washington's importance in the suffrage movement comes from the fact that we were the first aid in the 20th century and that

of states 20 year leg adopting their own suffrage movement. there were a number of states that passed a national amendment to the constitution. we were the fifth estate. all of the first states, the first six were located here in the west. washington became a pivotal step making a leap into the 20th century. after we passed this in 1910 there was a domino affect across the country. immediately, oregon passed it. then california than that moved to the dakotas and montana and nebraska. to new yorkd across in 1919 and the national amendment passes. you could call us a big turning point in the effort to gain

suffrage for women and the united states. the big event that began the suffrage movement did happen in new york. conventione women's led by susan b anthony on among other leaders. interestingly enough right after that she began a world wind -- a to advocate for women's rights periods went of the early leaders in the 20th century and washington state saw her in 1848 as a eight-year-old. barnstorming through illinois and that is emma smith defoe who suffrage leader of the movement through tacoma. she saw susan b anthony and

central illinois when she was eight years old. susan b anthony asked who in the audience believe women should have the right to vote, as a stood up. old she that was a memorable experience, it definitely has a connection 1910. state from 1848 read about the same time as the women's conference in seneca falls women and men were timeling west and at that at 1850 congress passed the land claim law. anybody who came to the oregon --ritory before 1849 god 640 received 640 acres of land. thatnteresting thing is

amount of land, half of that was in the woman's name. if you are a single man you got half of that. if you are a single woman you got half of that. half of that acreage was in the woman's name. right away women have land claim ownership. that was a important part of the oregon trail area -- air up. territoryst legislative meeting that becomes our capital city the early delegates wanted to pass women's suffrage in washington as part of a first legislative session and that territorial congress for washington. it got voted down. it was run up right away and

there were very early men in the legislature who advocated for women's suffrage. 1880'srward to the washington is working very hard to become a state paid which they achieved in 1880 to. -- 1889. women in the terry when the right to vote in 1883. immediately they start to vote for a more progressive agenda and the territory legislature. try to find seat some of the more corrupt leaders who influence to have with the saloon, prostitution and gambling. they vote him out of office. proving veryot

popular with a lot of people. while the legislature in those days before we were a state could vote yes or no to pass suffrage. it did not take a amendment to the cap duchenne. he -- women orat men and it passed. who got it rescinded in 1888? that territorial supreme court who was opposed to women voting. one particular justice really opposed it. men didon came because not want women serving on juries.

that is where this territorial voted -- not voted they removed women's right to vote. by 1906 that little girl who stood up for susan b anthony has relocated here back with her husband. she and her interim years has become a paid staffer working on behalf of suffrage intemperance throughout the midwest. month by the$100 a national american women suffrage association. she comes out here to become the leader on washington state suffrage movement. by 1906 her husband worked for .he great northern railroad she has a salary and he gets a railroad tax. she can travel over on a freight

railroad ticket which is a great advantage. they move to tacoma and she along with others established suffragengton equal association. i thought it was interesting that her message became the most powerful. to counteract this view that washington women do not want suffrage, they really work hard organizing through 1905 and 1908. we know that we have to get the suffrage bill passed. we have to get a amendment out there to the voters. it has to be passed by two thirds of a majority of voters in the state of washington. combination of important women coming together. our leader ofote

the washington state suffrage group joins up with is very colorful woman. was a camp cook in the silver mines of idaho. engineered a railroad and they buy a interest in a .ine it becomes the most profitable silver mine of that area. they become millionaires almost overnight. she is a very colorful figure. you have, who kind of comes out of the temperance, abolitionist movement. then you have this other woman who comes from a colorful past and together they do send on

olympia and the legislature that is made up of all men of ours did they work together in different ways to get the legislature to approve a amendment for the ballot. housejanuary of 1909 the votes for the amendment and 10 or 20 votes. in february the senate votes. on washington state senate, figure 25th, 1909 the governor signs a bill that creates the opportunity for wash in tony is dead for washingtonians to vote. that vote is going to come up before washington men. in november of 1910.

so this suffrage amendment passes on november 8 1910. washington becomes the first state in the union to pass suffrage. west were coming at people who were probably risk takers. they were looking to break out of some conventional life that they may have experienced in the east. a lot of suffragettes came out because they saw the opportunity. >> all weekend long american history tv is joining our comcast cable partners to showcase the history of tacoma, washington. to learn more about this good to .-span.org/city stewart c