Today is Day Six of Constitution Week commemorating the signing of our Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. The Constitution never prohibited women from voting or serving in public office; that was left to the states. Several western states adopted women’s suffrage before it was added to the Constitution in 1919. Jeanette Rankin, a leader in the suffrage movement from Montana was elected to Congress in 1916. The 19th Amendment prohibited states from barring women the right to vote.

Notable Quote: “The whole frame of the Federal Constitution proves that the government which it creates was intended to be one of limited and specified powers.” — James K. Polk

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This Constitution Spotlight was provided by Lt. George Farragut Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.