East Tennessee Historical Society

Knoxville, East Tennessee

Selected by Assistant Director for Historical Services Adam Alfrey

 

In August 1920, while the country watched the Tennessee state legislature to see if they would ratify the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, Representative Harry Burn received a letter from his mother Febb. Within the correspondence, she urged her son, “Hurray and vote for Suffrage and don’t keep them in doubt. I noticed Chandlers’ speech, it was very bitter. I’ve been waiting to see how you stood but have not seen anything yet…. Don’t forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt with her “Rats.” Is she the one that put rat in ratification, Ha! No more from mama this time. With lots of love, Mama.” 

 

In this audio clip, Adam Alfrey explains why this letter expands the definition of who is included in “We the People.”