By Kelsey Crowder, Cypress Springs HS via CFISD Communications

CYPRESS — 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed and protected women’s right to vote. The passage marked one of the largest expansions of democracy in the history of the United States of America. Early voting in Harris County started on Oct.13, with polling locations set up within the CFISD community, and the social studies department at Cypress Springs High School is celebrating in style.

Under the direction of World Geography teacher Samantha Hughes, Cypress Springs social studies teachers ordered T-shirts to celebrate 100 years of women’s right to vote.

“The social studies department always aims at educating students on what it means to be an effective citizen,” Hughes said. “With this year being an election year, and the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote, we thought there would never be a better time to make this shirt. This shirt is an additional way to show the relevance of the 19th Amendment to our social studies classes.”

The fight for women’s right to vote started in 1848 and didn’t stop until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920. During those years, the famed women’s right convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. took place and the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed, which was the first national organization advocating for women’s right to vote.

“The 19th Amendment was an incredibly important step in American history because a successful democracy requires the full participation of all its citizens,” said Cypress Springs U.S. History teacher Michelle Cox. “By granting women the right to vote in 1920, and again with the Voting Act of 1965, as a nation we achieved progress in ensuring that all citizens could take an active role in government.”

With it being 100 years in the making of the amendment, there are newer and younger, female voters every year who are eager to let their voices be heard just like the women before them.

“That’s us—Generation Z”, Cypress Springs senior Chardelene Reyes said. “We have the power to facilitate change. We may be young, but we are more than ready to project our voices. The youth vote is vital to the election and elected officials are more likely to address issues concerning young adults if they see a larger turnout within our age group.”