STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Did you know that opponents of women’s right to vote sent fake telegrams to legislators who supported it, telling them they needed to return home because a relative was on their death beds? The thinking was that they would miss the chance to cast a yes vote and the amendment would fail.
It’s a fascinating story and one that Dr. David Adler tells in a fashion that makes the pages of history come alive.
Adler will tell the story on Thursday, June 25, for Hailey Public Library patrons. The talk, “A Constitutional Odyssey: Securing Passage of 19th Amendment,” will be offered via Zoom.
It is the first of a series of talks about the historic passage of the 19th Amendment a century ago and remarkable Idaho women.
The talk will explore the historic fight waged by women since the dawn of the republic to enjoy both constitutional status and the right to vote.
“It’s hard to believe that just 100 years ago women, who comprise half the population, couldn’t vote,” said Kristin Fletcher, the library’s adult program and outreach coordinator. “Dr. Adler will share the long and dramatic story about how women won those rights.
Adler was a professor of political science at Idaho State University for 25 year. He has written more than a hundred scholarly articles on the Constitution and the Presidency and published six books. He has been interviewed by the New York Times, National Review, NPR, CNN, BBC, Fox News and other leading media outlets.
And his writings have been quoted by the U.S. Supreme Court and other institutions. He is currently writing a book on the landmark Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Reed, which had its origins in Idaho and transformed the law for American women.
To attend the virtual talk, contact Kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org.