Barry McNamara  |  Published September 09, 2020

A Conversation about the 19th Amendment

College to observe Constitution Day Sept. 15 with talk by Sen. Mattie Hunter ’76, who will share her thoughts on the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Constitution Day

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Two Monmouth College political science programs will come together Sept. 15, when Illinois state Sen. Mattie Hunter ’76 will be the featured speaker for the College’s annual observance of Constitution Day.

The Zoom session featuring Hunter will double as the second installment of the College’s new series, “Tuesday Afternoon Politics,” a one-hour Zoom discussion that debuted on Sept. 8 with an analysis of the upcoming presidential election.

SEN. MATTIE HUNTER: Will share her thoughts on women's fight for right to vote during Constit... SEN. MATTIE HUNTER: Will share her thoughts on women's fight for right to vote during Constitution Day event Sept. 15.To receive an invitation for the Zoom session, contact political science professor Mike Nelson.

A federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, Constitution Day is formally observed on Sept. 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.

This year’s celebration includes the centennial commemoration of the adoption of the 19th Amendment on Aug. 26, 1920, which gave women the right to vote.

“We are excited that Sen. Hunter will be with us as we commemorate Constitution Day during the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment,” said Nelson. “Monmouth College has a long history of alumnae who have shaped the role of women in politics. This includes Lena Morrow Lewis, who graduated in 1892 and was a lifelong political activist and writer, playing a significant role in the national suffragette movement.”

A century later, Hunter has further shaped that role. She has represented her Chicago district in the Illinois Senate since 2003, and she currently serves as the majority caucus chair.

“I am so excited to be speaking at my alma mater on the importance of the 19th Amendment,” said Hunter, who gave the College’s Commencement address in 2008 and received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree. “In these times especially, it is vital to know our history, how women had to fight for the right to vote, and how Black women had to wait another few decades before the same rights were granted. I am proud to be a part of this event, continuing the legacy that challenges us to think critically about the systems of this world, as Monmouth has always done.”

Constitution Day

Related Stories

Back to News & Events

Did you know?

  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College is proudly test optional. Applicants may choose whether or to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission and scholarship consideration. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/admission/apply/test-optional/" target="_blank">Test Optional</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p><strong>Monmouth College is the birthplace of the women’s fraternity movement. Pi Beta Phi, the first such collegiate women’s organization, was founded at Monmouth in 1867. It was followed three years later by Kappa Kappa Gamma. The two pioneering organizations today boast a total of 275 active chapters nationwide.</strong></p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/student-life/sororities-fraternities/" target="_blank">Sororities & Fraternities</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We’re no stranger to winning. Last year the Fighting Scots won Midwest Conference championships in Football, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Men’s Track and Field. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthscots.com/" target="_blank">Fighting Scots</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 99% of Monmouth students received some type of scholarship or financial assistance.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/offices/student-financial-planning/types-of-aid/scholarships/" target="_blank">Scholarships</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 98% of Monmouth graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/wackerle-center/career-services/" target="_blank">Career Preparation</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an educational garden and 6.7 acre farm. Students grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to sell at the local farmer’s market. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/academics/only-at-monmouth/educational-garden-farm/" target="_blank">Garden & Farm</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College covers the cost for all current students to get a U.S. passport. Unlock access to over 198 different countries! We’ll even help with the paperwork :)</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/study-abroad/" target="_blank">Study Abroad</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We offer a certified Peace Corps Preparation program that gives Peace Corps bound graduates a leg up in the application process.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/peace-corps-prep/" target="_blank">Peace Corps Prep</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers unique academic minors in Global Public Health and Global Food Security for students who want to use their education to address global challenges. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-public-health/" target="_blank">Global Public Health</a></li><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-food-security/" target="_blank">Global Food Security</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers several international trips each year during 2-week Scots Terms in January and May. Recently students have traveled to Botswana, Greece, Scotland, Japan, and more. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/offices/global-engagement/" target="_blank">Scots Term</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an active Pipe & Drum Band. Each year on Scholars Day in April the bagpipers wake students up at 6:00 a.m. by playing in the residence halls!</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/music/pipe-band/" target="_blank">Pipe Band</a></li></ul></div></aside>