Banner at Washington County Courthouse celebrates 19th Amendment

WASHINGTON - A new display is available for viewing in the Washington County Courthouse in honor of the passage of 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

Iowa gave women the right to vote on July 2, 1919. It was the 10th state to ratify the amendment.

'The fight to win women the right to vote in the United States was not easily or quickly won,” states the banner.

The display honors the amendment as well as Carrie Chapman Catt, a women's suffrage leader and president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

County Auditor Dan Widmer said the two banners were provided to all counties by the Iowa Secretary of State.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the ratification to the U.S. Constitution. The banners are located outside of the auditor's office in the courthouse.

'I hope people take the opportunity to view them while in the courthouse,” Widmer said.