Hi, awesome people! I found something out this year that blew my mind.
It's about the 19th Amendment, the one that gave women the vote. Now, I thought I knew a decent amount about it — how long it took, how difficult a fight it was, how its passage hinged on one Tennessee lawmaker who switched his vote because his mother asked him to. And there's plenty to tell about the ongoing battle since 1920 to ensure that everyone really does get to vote.
But did you know that the 19th was almost undone?
Good on you if you did. I had no idea!
As this New York Times piece notes, opposition forces had a short window to force a redo. They “tried to persuade legislators with cash bribes, job offers, blackmail and bare-knuckled threats” — and that was just the start.
Christina Morland, who writes amazing Austen variations (seriously, if you like Jane Austen, you should definitely read her books), was my key early reader for the Clandestine Magic trilogy. She saw this article, cut it out and mailed it to me because it made her think of my series (and because she's extremely cool that way). So I might never have learned this real story if I hadn't been writing a made-up tale about next-generation suffragists going up against wizards.
There's nothing stranger than real life, am I right?
OK: Now I'd like to hear about the craziest historical fact you know.
Thanks to the awesome people who shared their unusual reading habits last time! I'm glad I'm in good company. ❤️
Cheers,
Colleen
P.S. If you like strong and noble heroines (yes, please), here's a giveaway with free books that might be up your alley. And here's a separate Kindle Unlimited promo with free-to-read fantasy and sci-fi books for KU folks. And finally, here's a collection for romantic fantasy lovers, some of the books free, some 99 cents and some in KU.
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