Articles

On June 28, 1919, Jane McCallum wrote in her diary, "Somehow I felt too thankful to be jubilant. We have a great responsibility and I pray God we may meet it squarely and successfully."

The responsibility McCallum referred to was the right to vote—a right American women finally won in 1920 with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. As a leader of Texas women's fight for suffrage, McCallum had faced heated criticism. Undaunted, she gave speeches, wrote newspaper columns, and lobbied legislators.

After women's right to vote had been secured, McCallum took on new responsibilities. She helped the Texas League of Women Voters fight for education, health care, and child labor laws. McCallum also served as executive secretary of the Women's Joint Legislative Council, and as Texas Secretary of State under two different governors. More»