Cool Chicks from History

Febb Burn

via Volunteer Voices

“Hurrah and vote for Suffrage!”

In August of 1920, the issue of women’s suffrage came before the Tennessee State Legislature.  If the legislature voted in favor, the 19^th Amendment to the US Constitution would be ratified and women would be granted the right to vote nationwide.

State Legislator Harry T. Burn initially voted against the amendment, hoping it would be tabled until after his re-election.  Then he received a letter from his mother Febb E. Burn urging him to support women’s suffrage.   The amendment was deadlocked and a recount was called.  Harry changed his vote, breaking the tie and ratifying the amendment. 

Reports say Harry Burn was chased from the building after his historic vote.  In the end he said, “I believe in full suffrage as a right…. and I knew that a mother’s advice is always safest for a boy to follow.”