Women's right to vote

It is  90 years today since the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the United States Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote.  But it was not until 1928 that woman were allowed to vote in Britain.

Women in both countries had protested for many years for voting equality with men.  They were known as the suffragettes.  It seems incredible that women were sent to jail for fighting for equal rights.  There were woman who insisted on going to polling stations to vote who were arrested for what now is a basic right for everyone over the age of 18.

I remember learning about Emmeline Pankhurst at school.  She famously founded the Women’s Franchise League in Britain in 1899 to campaign for equality.  It was to take her nearly 30 years to succeed.

Unfortunately, there are many people who have been denied the right to vote throughout history and even today, either due to their sex or race.  And there are countries that are not yet democratic, where nobody has a vote.  It is shocking to think that people are denied equal rights because of their gender or the colour of their skin.

Voting is a privilege.  It is important to use it.   Right now, you have the right to vote at 18 years old in Israel, which is the same in most democracies.  In Britain, it was not until 1969 that they reduced the voting age from 21 to 18.  Maybe the age will be reduced.  But I do hope that you will always use your vote, and remember those who were not so lucky.

Grandpa Jonathan

Prague, Czech Republic