Commission Launches 2020 Women’s History Essay Contest

 

Tallahassee, FL (September 13, 2019) — The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is seeking entries for the 2020 Women’s History Essay Contest for students in grades 6–8. The Commission invites students to participate in order to gain a more relevant appreciation of women’s roles in history.

“Celebrating women’s history presents the opportunity to honor and recount stories of our female leaders’ talents, sacrifices, and commitments and inspires today’s generations,” says Essay Contest Chair Commissioner Elena Spottswood. “Learning about our past allows us to build our future. This essay is designed to inspire the future leaders of our state and to help them learn about women’s history.”

This year’s contest focuses on the women’s suffrage movement and the importance of voting. In 1919, the United States Congress passed legislation that would redefine our country forever – an amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote. In August 1920, this legislation was ratified by the states and became the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. To honor this momentous event in U.S. history, students will have the opportunity to reflect on and write about the importance of this right and this moment that changed America forever 

Winning essayists will be awarded prizes and recognized at a special ceremony at the 7th Annual LEAD Summit to be held at the Capitol in Tallahassee, February 6, 2020. All winners’ names will be released to the media and published on the Commission’s website. The deadline for entry is December 20, 2019.

News Topic: Florida Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees