Colorado women's suffrage referendum, 1893

A referendum on women's suffrage was held in Colorado on November 7, 1893 to ratify a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 118,[1] to prohibit discrimination against women voting. The amendment was drafted by lawyer J. Warner Mills of Denver and sponsored by Rep. J.T. Heath of Montrose County.[2] The amendment passed with support from the Colorado Non-Partisan Equal Suffrage Association, a grassroots coalition of women's organizations, churches, political parties, charity groups, unions and farmer's alliances. This was the first time in U.S. history that a state referendum had passed women's suffrage into law.

55% of the electorate turned out to vote, with 35,798 voting in favor and 29,551 voting against[3]

The following year, three Colorado women - Clara Cressingham, Carrie Clyde Holly and Frances Klock - became the first women to be elected to any legislature in U.S. history when they were elected to the Colorado House of Representatives.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Kopel, Jerry. "History of women suffrage in Colorado". Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  2. ↑ Pomeroy, Eltweed (1903). "Hon. J. Warner Mills of Denver, Col". Direct Legislation Record. X: 81.
  3. ↑ "Election Results, 1893". Womhist.alexanderstreet.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  4. ↑ "Women Wielding Power-Colorado". Nwhm.org. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
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