This is a timeline of women's suffrage in Montana. The fight for women's suffrage in Montana started earlier, before even Montana became a state. In 1887, women gained the right to vote in school board elections and on tax issues. In the years that followed, women battled for full, equal suffrage, which culminated in a year-long campaign in 1914 when they became one of eleven states with equal voting rights for most women. Montana ratified the Nineteenth Amendment on August 2, 1919 and was the thirteenth state to ratify. Native American women voters did not have equal rights to vote until 1924.
Chief Eagle Cap signs a petition at the Montana League of Women Voters booth at the Montana State Fair in Helena
1880s
1883
First women's suffrage speech is given in Montana by Frances Willard.[1]
1884
Women's suffrage is proposed during the state constitutional convention by Judge W. J. Stephens of Missoula, but it is not accepted.[2]
1887
Clara McAdow requests aid for women's suffrage organization from suffragists in the east of the United States.[3]
March 8: Women gain the right to vote in school board elections in their own districts.[3][4]
1889
Women's suffrage is proposed at the Montana State Constitutional Convention.[5]
May 2: Governor Sam Stewart declares "Woman's Day" on May 2.[27] A suffrage car parade held on Last Chance Gulch in Helena.[27]
June: Jeannette Rankin gives a speech at the meeting of the Montana Federation of Women's Clubs (MFWC) in Lewistown.[27] MFWC came out in support of women's suffrage.[28]
November 3: The women's suffrage amendment bill passed 41,302 to 37,588.[29] Montana is now one of eleven states to give women the vote.[30]
1915
January: Suffragist meeting in Helena to discuss "intelligent use of the ballot."[31] Women change the name of their suffrage groups to the Montana Good Government Association.[32]
1919
August 2: Montana ratifies the Nineteenth Amendment, becoming the thirteenth state to ratify.[33]
