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Grades: 5, 9-12
On August 24, 1920, Tennessee became the Perfect 36. That is, it became the final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote in America. The story of how Tennessee became the Perfect 36 will be retold through the lessons and materials in this trunk.
Using primary sources, students will analyze both sides of the fight. They will take on the persona of pro and anti forces that were represented in Nashville during that long hot summer of 1920. They will role play the debates and create banners, posters, buttons, and wear roses that signify their political affiliation on the issue.
Lastly, the class will take a vote on the 19th amendment, just as the Tennessee General Assembly did. Will woman’s suffrage pass in your classroom?
An exact replica of a pro-suffrage banner made in Tennessee
Primary source political cartoons and photographs related to Tennessee’s suffrage movement
A copy of the letter Febb Burn sent to her son Harry encouraging him to vote yes on suffrage
20 yellow and 20 red roses for students to wear in support or protest of suffrage
Reproduction pro-suffrage sash
Download the Understanding Women's Suffrage: Tennessee's Perfect 36 Lesson Plan
For your planning: please note that this trunk measures 20(L)x15(W)x25(H), and weighs roughly 30 pounds.