Ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States guarantees American women the right to vote. This achievement was decades in the making, a huge victory for the suffragists who protested and rioted, who demanded to be heard. The effects of the 19th Amendment were not felt by all women straight away, and there was still much to do to lift voting restrictions on women of color. But a century later, people across the country are marking 100 years of the 19th Amendment by honoring the work of suffragettes while continuing to fight not only for the rights of women but also the rights of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

This resource guide, created by NYPL's School Outreach team, contains resources for kids, teens, and educators about the history of women's suffrage. Explore more resources for educators, including for online teaching, curriculum support, and engaging teaching aids.

Digital Resources from NYPL

For Kids

Explora Elementary

Search “women’s suffrage” to find texts, videos, and articles related to the 19th Amendment.

FreedomFlix

Under the tab “Our Democracy,” click “Women’s Right to Vote” to see a video, a nonfiction text, and related resources appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.

Kids InfoBits

Search “Voting Rights for Women” to find quick facts, news articles, biographies, and images related to the 19th Amendment.

For Teens

Biography in Context

Learn about some of the women of the movement:

• Mary Church Terrell
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• Ida B. Wells
• Rose Schneiderman
• Susan B. Anthony
• Lucy Stone
• Alice Paul

Black Feminism Introductory Research Guide

An introductory research guide from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for anyone looking to explore Black feminism and notable figures from the movement.

BrainPOP

Features Women’s Suffrage section that provides a video on the topic, as well as primary source documents, related reading, and games for middle school students.

Opposing Viewpoints

Search "Women's Suffrage" to find more information about women’s right to vote and the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Women’s Magazine Archive

Collection of women’s magazines, some of which date back to the 19th century. Because the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, teens can research how popular women’s magazines addressed this major feminist achievement. 

From the Digital Collection

• Black women suffragists holding sign reading "Head-Quarters for Colored Women Voters," in Georgia
• National American Woman Suffrage Association records
• Lucy Stone: Pioneer of Women’s Rights
• Sojourner Truth
• Sarah J. Smith Tompkins Garnet and relatives
• The Schwimmer-Lloyd Collection
• Votes for Women
• Women's Suffrage 

External Resources

For Kids

Women's Rights Activities from the National Parks Service

Geared toward school-age children, these engaging activities connect back to women’s suffrage.

The Women’s Suffrage Movement from National Geographic Kids

A short history of the women’s suffrage movement geared toward kids. National Geographic Kids also features an article about women heroes!

Women’s Vote Centennial

The official site commemorating 100 years of women’s right to vote. Their Kids’ Corner features a Flat Susan B. Anthony template (similar to Flat Stanley!) for kids to color! 

 

For Teens

19th Amendment Research Guide from the Library of Congress

Includes primary source documents, videos, and more to begin researching the 19th Amendment.

National Women’s History Museum—Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Short biography of Ida B. Wells-Barnett.

National Archives Museum Tour—Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Right to Vote

Features online exhibits and related documents and resources to learn more about American women and their right to vote.

National Organization of Women

Includes information on centennial events for the suffragist movement and other resources.

Woman's Rights Convention

Read about recognizing women’s rights to vote in New York at the first Woman’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in 1848.