CONTEST WINNERS: Annual Law Day Poster, Essay Contests Continued Despite School Closures
While schools were closed this spring, students from across the metropolitan area were invited earlier this spring to enter Law Day contests.
The Omaha Legal Professionals Association (OLPA) sponsors the essay contest for area eighth graders, while the Nebraska Paralegal Association (NePA) sponsors the poster contest for area fifth graders.
The winning poster is displayed for the month of May on a billboard near 78th Street and Dodge Road. First, second and third places in both contests also receive cash prizes from the Omaha Bar Association.
– Scott Stewart
First Place
The 19th Amendment and the Fight It Took
By Kenadie Rudloff
St. Pius X/St. Leo Catholic School, Omaha
“No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent.” This is a quote from Susan B. Anthony, a women’s rights activist during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She, like many other women at the time, was fighting for equality in voting. They found it was time to modernize the Constitution. Suffrage was not handed to women; they were forced to earn it while living in a country dominated by men. Their strength through hardships allows me to have a voice in our present-day government.
While fighting for their suffrage, women had to work to even be noticed. There were marches, political statements, and fires that were burned in front of the White House. Protests like these lasted for over six months, with most ending in violence. Women protestors were arrested, beaten, and thrown into cells, with some shackled to doors, then being force fed. Even through all of this, these women persisted. Ultimately, Congress realized that they needed to amend the Constitution. On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment was ratified, finally giving women the right to vote.
Without these brave women, I would not have the freedom and the rights that I have today. Because of their effort, I get to vote. I get to participate in politics. I have a voice. Their struggles are my success, and I am eternally grateful.
Second Place
Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100
By Scarlett Wharton
St. Pius X/St. Leo Catholic School, Omaha
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was added to our Constitution, ending the century long struggle for women’s suffrage. This should be seen not only as an achievement for our country to be proud of, but also as an idea we can continue expanding upon in the future. The 19th Amendment played a crucial part in our country’s history and it should be given that recognition.
Ratifying the 19th Amendment was a prolonged and difficult struggle, but generation after generation of women refused to give up until they reached victory. Since passage, it has been successful in fulfilling its initial purpose: preventing anyone from being denied the right to vote because of their gender. This accomplishment is a very significant part of our country’s history, not only because we managed to obtain women’s suffrage, but also because of the opportunities it opened up for us to have a more promising future. Passing the 19th Amendment was achieved by a determined group of people united towards a common goal. This goes to show that no issue or problem of this century is any less possible to resolve.
The 19th Amendment’s centennial is the perfect occasion to bring awareness to the struggle for equality still going on in our world today. The struggle to unite all races, genders, religions, and more, is not over. Thanks to the 19th Amendment, equality for all is more possible. Women earning the right to vote was a good start, but just imagine the brighter places it could lead us.
Third Place
Our Voices in Democracy
By Bella Meyer
Boone Central Middle School, Petersburg/Albion
My hero, Susan B. Anthony once said, “There will never be complete equality until women, themselves, help to make laws and elect lawmakers.” In today’s society, these words ring true and clear to not just women, but all people. These words spoken over a century ago, acted as a war cry, to the belief that all people should be allowed to have a say in their government. Our founding fathers stated in our Declaration of Independence, that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, are undeniable rights given to all humans. Later the government system they built was designed to protect those rights. Amendments could be added to further defend the interests and freedoms of all Americans.
On August 18, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, was ratified. It gave women the right to vote. This was a humongous step towards gender equality. America then became a world leader in an issue many countries are struggling with today.
However, to me, it was about more than just voting. This amendment allowed for all citizens to have a say in their government. It is of the utmost importance that we use our voice, regardless of gender, to speak up for what is right, and defend, like our founding fathers did, our rights.
The Nineteenth Amendment started the notion that it wasn’t just men in government, but all people. Despite your gender, your ideas are needed in your government, and you can use your voice to strengthen our democracy.
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