Plaque

Type of Memorial

Plaque

Donor

Richard and Sharon Rodine

In Memoriam

Virgil A. and Cheryl J. Miller

Location

South of Catt Hall

Plaque Text

Yellow Rose of Suffrage Garden

A gift from Richard ('73) and Sharon ('71) Rodine in memory of her parents, Virgil A. and Cheryl J. Miller of Ogden and Ames.

United by their symbol, the yellow rose, suffragists led by Carrie Chapman Catt (B.S. 1880) converged on the Tennessee legislature in August 1920 - the 36th and last state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Wearing a red rose, the anti-suffrage symbol, but carrying a letter from his mother urging him to help Mrs. Catt pass the amendment, 24-year-old legislator Harry Burn changed his vote on the third ballot, breaking the tie and delivering the right to vote to American women.

One vote can make a difference.