Remembering Our Rights: Happy Anniversary, 19th Amendment!

The ratification of the 19th Amendment is now 90 years old. It's been nearly a century since women were given the right to vote and, on this anniversary, I have to sit back and ask myself, "What does this mean to me?" I've had the right to vote for most of my life; have I taken this right for granted?

I also have to ask what this means to other women. I've watched TV ads and read articles about crooked candidates and various scandals, but found no celebrations honoring the 19th Amendment and women's rights. Did we forget?

My Right to Vote

I remember I was in high school when Ronald Regan was elected president. I liked him and what he believed in, and I cast my ballot for him in a mock election that was held in one of my classes. It made me feel proud, and it made me feel a part of things. At the time, I was too young to vote -- but I wasn't an American citizen either.

I didn't become an American citizen until after the birth of my daughter. I will never forget the test I had to take and how nervous I felt - The interviewer asked me who the First Lady was and, after drawing a blank on her first name, I tittered nervously, "Mrs. Bush?" Fortunately, it gave the woman a laugh and I managed to pass the rest of my test. There are no words to describe the feeling of pride and finally belonging that I felt when I was sworn in. It was an amazing experience.

It was equally amazing, finally being able to go vote. I'd watched the political candidates debate and, I must admit, I was pretty amped up by all of the celebrities who stepped up to try to motivate the people with Rock the Vote (I've always found it particularly moving when people rally together and show support for what they believe in). I am proud to say that I was able to finally feel a part of things, and to have finally had my voice heard, when Bill Clinton became our 42^nd president of the United States.

In the years that followed, however, I've observed a sort of apathy fall over the American people. I know everyone's quick to point a finger and blame the Bush administration for things that have happened, and how far we have fallen, but I also think that we need to shoulder some of that guilt as well.

As 9/11 taught us, Americans have become very complacent and apathetic about many parts of our lives. Talking to my 73-year-old mother, she makes a disgusted sound about the mud-slinging that pollutes our TV seemingly on a daily basis, as local candidates vie for voter support.

"It's a shame that we have to choose a candidate by deciding who's less of a crook," she grumbles as she angrily flips through her newspaper. I can't help but agree with her. I voted for President Obama -- I believe in him, but when it comes to local government, I'm disgusted by all the scandal and mud-slinging.

On this 90^th anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the US Constitution, we need to open our eyes to the rights we have. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers didn't have these rights. They FOUGHT for these rights that we now ignore, forget and take for granted. Now, more than ever, it's time to remember and respect what they accomplished for us. It's time to honor them and uphold our right to vote.