Program

National Votes for Women Trail

Subject

Cemetery, People

Location

400 Carrollton Dr, Frederick, MD 21701, USA

Lat/Long

39.405635, -77.414292

Grant Recipient

National Collaborative for Women's History Sites

Beginning in 1911, sisters Florence (1854-1944) and Bertha (1864-1940) Trail worked to promote women’s right to vote through the Just Government League of Frederick, Maryland. Florence and Bertha campaigned for women’s suffrage, hosted suffrage speakers, attended conventions of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and held suffrage teas at their home.

In June 1919, the United States Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment, which would give women the right to vote once ratified by the necessary 36 states. Despite the efforts of Maryland suffragists, the state rejected ratification of the amendment. However, by August 1920, 36 states had ratified the Nineteenth Amendment, securing women’s right to vote across the United States, including in the state of Maryland.