“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on act of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” US Constitution, Nineteenth Amendment

Those words burn in my heart. I constantly wonder…what if???  What if the brave women at Seneca Falls were afraid to stand up?  Where would I be today?  I would like to take you back in time.

On August 18^th 1920, the nineteenth amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote.  Charlotte Woodward was the only women who had attended Seneca Falls convention and signed the Declaration of Sentiments in 1848 and was still alive to exercise her right to vote.  She was 90 years of age and vowed “if they have to take me to vote on a stretcher I will be there!”

I personally admire the drive and determination that Susan B Anthony possessed and the eloquence of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Lucy Stone and Julia Ward were ahead of their time.  It took courage for Fredrick Douglas to stand steadfastly with us women as other men turned away.

The right to vote?  Many women of that day thought it was taking it too far. Some women spoke up, saying “Why, that would be a grievous affront to our fathers and husbands, “and pushing for the right to vote will start a war between the sexes and we as women will lose.”

The debate between those that believed this was a God given right and those that opposed us got very mean spirited. Elizabeth Cady Stanton would not back down: She held her ground and argued feverishly for women’s right to vote.

Sometimes I fear, things are not a lot different from 1920. Women are still divided on basic issues. In the words of my business partner Robin Ford “As women, more unites us than divides us.”  I wonder some days why can’t we stand together, regardless of race, party affiliations and religion.

Women still fear asking for basic equality.  For so many, the 18% leadership position we hold across all sectors is fine.  The White House Project It’s acceptable, its what we have earned, its what we should expect.  REALLY??? Not on my watch!

Project 19 women, myself and Robin, Carol Thompson and countless many other women  fight the good fight everyday. We are the women of Seneca Falls.

We know we may never see equality in our lifetime. After all, Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton never even got the right to vote after a 26 battle. They died without casting that ballot.

I can’t do that.  God knows I have taken some bullets for what I have said and what I believe.  But I will tell you this. I built a 500 million dollar company, worked full time, have been married to the same man for 22 years and would rather judge myself than others.  It’s easy to sit on a thrown of judgment and never really give back to society.  That’s what we are fighting as women…it’s the judgment of our peers. So many of those women the only thing they do is judge. It’s very sad, but it’s reality.

Project 19 will make a historic journey to Washington D.C on August 18, 2010 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 19 the amendment. Every women is invited, Republican, Democrat, black, white, stay at home mom or career woman. This day that will be a great equalizer. You see ,this is the day that we were granted the right to choose! I look forward to standing on the United States Capital steps with my friends, my sisters, my elected officials, my fellow women advocates, and celebrating the brave women of Seneca Falls.

Will you join us?  Project 19 Foundation