Utah women gave a collective shrug when they first heard of a movement in New York to let women vote. But when the federal government began to attack polygamy, Utah women knew they needed a voice. Host Dianna Douglas recreates some of the mass meetings across Utah where women demanded a vote and stunned the world.

Utah women gave a collective shrug when they first heard of a movement in New York to let women vote. But when the federal government began to attack polygamy, Utah women knew they needed a voice. Host Dianna Douglas recreates some of the mass meetings across Utah where women demanded a vote and stunned the world.

Women in Utah started voting way back in 1870 as part of a grassroots uprising that was both unique and radical. The story of how Utah women became the first to vote in America begins with polygamy and ends long after the Nineteenth Amendment guaranteed American women the freedom to vote. Host Dianna Douglas narrates a long-forgotten history.

Women in Utah started voting way back in 1870 as part of a grassroots uprising that was both unique and radical. The story of how Utah women became the first to vote in America begins with polygamy and ends long after the Nineteenth Amendment guaranteed American women the freedom to vote. Host Dianna Douglas narrates a long-forgotten history.

Zion's Suffragists

It Is Our Duty to Vote, Sisters

Utah’s original settlers have had a long struggle for equal rights before the law in the United States. Host Dianna Douglas introduces some of the Utah women who led the charge. Zitkála-Šá was an early pioneer for voting rights and civil rights for native peoples, helping European Americans acknowledge the beauty and richness of native peoples’ cultures through essays, speeches and even an original opera. Mae Timbimboo Parry helped Utah confront a dark history of mistreatment of native peoples, all with her disarming mix of humor and kindness. And we meet native women of Utah who are continuing the work today.

Utah&rsquo;s original settlers have had a long struggle for equal rights before the law in the United States. Host Dianna Douglas introduces some of the Utah women who led the charge. Zitk&aacute;la-&Scaron;&aacute; was an early pioneer for voting rights and civil rights for native peoples, helping European Americans acknowledge the beauty and richness of native peoples&rsquo; cultures through essays, speeches and even an original opera. Mae Timbimboo Parry helped Utah confront a dark history of mistreatment of native peoples, all with her disarming mix of humor and kindness. And we meet native women of Utah who are continuing the work today.

Side by side with you

Utah women joined forces with a young suffragist named Alice Paul and jumpstarted the drive for suffrage with some spectacular events. A mile-long petition. The biggest parade Washington had ever seen. And, controversially, pickets and protests in front of the White House with signs demanding a constitutional amendment for women’s suffrage. When President Wilson got sick of the protests, the women were arrested and sent to prison. Host Dianna Douglas explains why seeing women arrested and abused in prison turned public opinion in favor of women’s suffrage, and how Utah celebrated when the Nineteenth Amendment finally passed. 

Utah women joined forces with a young suffragist named Alice Paul and jumpstarted the drive for suffrage with some spectacular events. A mile-long petition. The biggest parade Washington had ever seen. And, controversially, pickets and protests in front of the White House with signs demanding a constitutional amendment for women&rsquo;s suffrage. When President Wilson got sick of the protests, the women were arrested and sent to prison. Host Dianna Douglas explains why seeing women arrested and abused in prison turned public opinion in favor of women&rsquo;s suffrage, and how Utah celebrated when the Nineteenth Amendment finally passed.&nbsp;

No Sacrifice is Too Great

A state senate race for the ages: a young doctor named Martha Hughes Cannon runs in a crowded field to join the very first Senate in the state of Utah. She runs against her husband, Angus, against Utah’s preeminent suffragist, Emmeline B. Wells, and against seven other men. When she wins, she is the first woman elected to a state senate in the U.S. Host Dianna Douglas tells us about how Martha Hughes Cannon and the other women who won public office in the early 1900s still influence Utah today. 

A state senate race for the ages: a young doctor named Martha Hughes Cannon runs in a crowded field to join the very first Senate in the state of Utah. She runs against her husband, Angus, against Utah&rsquo;s preeminent suffragist, Emmeline B. Wells, and against seven other men. When she wins, she is the first woman elected to a state senate in the U.S. Host Dianna Douglas tells us about how Martha Hughes Cannon and the other women who won public office in the early 1900s still influence Utah today.&nbsp;

It Is Our Duty to Vote, Sisters

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