Dear Editor,

Congress approved the 19th Amendment on June 24, 1919. The 19th Amendment guarantees to women the right to vote. The proposed Amendment thereafter had to be approved by 36 state legislatures. On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee State Legislature became the 36th state to ratify.

The 1848 Seneca Falls New York Convention for Women’s Rights headed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott was the official start of the American Women Suffragist Movement. These Progressive women and Movement supporters, both men and other women (Susan B. Anthony), advocated Social Justice issues such as the need for child labor laws, free public education, sanitary and safe housing, etc. They wanted women to have their say in deciding who would make public policy.

Withstanding push-back, more women are in public office, at all levels and branches of government. Since the last election, Congress is more reflective of the mosaic nature of the American people. The effect of which will eventually show up in issues discussed, positions, and voting: climate change, education, health, social justice, and quality of life.

The Progressive Suffragists marched in Washington, D.C. June 27, 1917. It took courage to withstand the occasional jeer and mockery.

On August 8, 1925, reactionary KKK members in white robes, holding American flags and large crosses marched in Washington D.C. I doubt if these “America First,” anti-catholic, anti-Jew, anti-nonwhite marchers were sympathetic to the Suffragist Movement whose Progressive program posed a threat to the status quo.

If back in the day, Trump and his supporters would have mocked and jeered the brave women and supported the KKK’s “America First.” Trump is not a supporter of the current “Women’s Me Too Movement.” His words and actions toward women are abhorrent.

Flag hugging Trump, two days after his abrupt departure of the failed Vietnam summit with his new best pal North Korean president for life, Kim Jong Un, rambled on for over two hours at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland.

He assumed his Mussolini-like pose and predicted re-election by a large margin; he condemned non-supporting Republican legislators, mocked Democrats, and labeled the Ocasio-Cortez and Markey attempt to have the Federal Government create a Green New Deal as Socialism.

The Green New Deal urges action by citing on-coming climate and economic crises. It’s supporters seek discussion and debate.

Trump is a “climate change” denier. His non-acceptance of climate change science is bewildering and typical Trump.

Trump brushes facts aside or makes up his own “facts.” He relies on tag lines, insults, and dog whistle slogans. He does not debate; he intimidates. He is not the smartest guy in the room; he is the loudest guy in the room.

Climate change and the Women’s Movement are real. What is fake is what comes from the mouth of the liar who is currently occupying the White House.

For over a century, women have struggled for equality; the drastic effects of climate change will be forthcoming well before our next century.

Don Scott,

Warren