After decades of having their message ignored or dismissed, suffragists decided it was time for stronger language. Under the leadership of Alice Paul of the National Woman’s Party, formed in 1916, signs and banners now displayed “We Demand,” among other statements, showing that suffragists meant business and they had the tenacity to bring their goal to fruition: an amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the vote.

In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson announced his support of a women’s suffrage amendment, only after ignoring suffragists’ pleas for almost five years and allowing suffragists to languish in prison for silently protesting in front of the White House.

On May 21, 1919, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by the House of Representatives. Two weeks later, the Senate followed suit. It took until August 18, 1920 for the amendment to pass its last hurdle of ratification by three-fourths of the states. On August 26, 1920, Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification, giving all United States women the legal right to vote. It wasn’t until 1984 that all states finally ratified the amendment.

Today, more women cast votes than do men.