And thanks Tennessee! You were the final YES that made voting rights for women legal throughout the United States! After more than 70 years of active struggle, women finally overcame discrimination and were given the right to vote on August 26, 1920. The fight began back in the mid 1800’s after Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton got fed up with the inequality between men and women, specifically related to education, employment and voting. Joining together with more than 200 supporters, the women met in New York to discuss equal rights across the board. The convention, held in Seneca Falls, was greeted with boos by naysayers and the pressure resulted in several key supporters withdrawing their backing. But that didn’t stop these women.

They knew what they wanted, knew what they were capable of and most importantly, knew what they deserved.

The suffragette movement continued to gain momentum throughout the country and shortly after African American men were given the right to vote, Stanton was joined by Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone, who together went on to create the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1890. Their grit and determination swayed Wyoming to become the first state to give women voting rights in that same year. Yay Wyoming!

It would take another 30 years for women’s voting rights to become law as the 19^th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today, women still face inequality in many areas of life relating to their bodies, their incomes, their choices to work, parent or do both.

But we are a resilient bunch!

• We are willing to use our voices to speak up for ourselves.
  • We display awesome feats of bravery when faced with impossible situations.
    • We are strong, educated and inspired.
      • Whether in our jobs, our homes or our relationships…
        

        We will NOT be intimidated!

The Women Auto Know Mission was born out of that same grit and determination. Clear inequality in the automotive industry, under-representation by and for women, and intimidation were just some of the catalysts that led me to forge ahead making the automotive world something that all women can participate in with equality and understanding.

Tell us about your favorite women and how they have overcome obstacles to achieve what they desired and deserved! Inspire other women and share with us here or on any of our social media platforms!

Mechanically Yours,

Audra Fordin