August 26 marks the 88th anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, an act that granted women citizens the right to vote in all elections.

    Carrie Chapman Catt, who led the movement to its final victory, was buried in yellow roses, the flower symbolizing the quest for woman suffrage. The crowds were tumultuous, cheering and celebrating.

    It was the culmination of a long, hard fight involving hundreds of thousands of dedicated women (and even some men), taking place over 72 years. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton first organized a women's rights meeting in 1848 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., women could not inherit anything, or own anything, even their own clothes. Earnings had to be turned over to their husband. Stanton wanted to change all this and to open opportunities for education and employment for women. She suddenly realized that women also needed to be able to vote.

    In spite of the shock wave this idea produced, the meeting produced the "Declaration of Sentiments," which was signed by 100 people. It was a long list of rights, including the vote.

    The press was horrified. One editor wrote, "This bolt is the most shocking and unnatural incident ever recorded in the history of mankind."

    Very few people understand the scope and complications of the suffrage movement. Yet it was full of drama and replete with incredible women of courage and determination who kept the effort going in the face of relentless opposition.

    History books have covered the entire subject with just a paragraph or two about Susan B. Anthony.

    Anthony was a remarkable woman. She dedicated her whole life to achieving suffrage for women, yet did not live to see the final success. She lectured incessantly, traveling by train, wagon or cart. She suffered constant backaches and frostbite. She would go into a town, often alone, rent a hall, get notices printed, make the speech and collect enough offerings to make it to the next town. She was a brilliant orator. Reading one of her biographies is awe inspiring and makes one wonder if we are working hard enough for our causes.

    California mounted the largest suffrage campaign in history in 1896, supported by such well-known women as Jane Stanford, wife of Leland Stanford, and Phoebe Apperson Hearst, the mother of William Randolph Hearst. In spite of the effort, the liquor interests managed to defeat it. California did pass the measure in 1911, becoming the sixth state to grant women the right to vote. All were Western states. It was becoming obvious, however, that working state by state was too difficult and what was needed was a federal amendment.

    As an example of the dramatic events taking place, in 1915 Sara Bard Field and three others (one a Swedish mechanic) left San Francisco to drive across the country and send a strong message to President Wilson and the eastern part of the country. Of course, roads were nonexistent. As word spread of their trip, the women were welcomed with excitement at each town they passed through. They reached Washington, D.C. three months later. They presented Wilson with the half million signatures, which unfortunately failed to bring about his much-needed support.

    A prominent suffrage leader here in Marin was Elizabeth Thacher Kent, the wife of William Kent. When her husband, a congressman, went to Washington, she joined forces with the young militant Alice Paul, who organized regular picketing of the White House. Elizabeth Kent was among those arrested and thrown in jail. The poor treatment of the women touched of a national cry of outrage and brought sympathy to the movement.

    Catt formed the League of Women Voters in 1920 when success was in sight. She wanted it to be an organization that would educate women on how to participate in the political process. It would be nonpartisan and work for the common good rather than special interests. The league continues to believe that the vote is the cornerstone of democracy.

    Protecting the sanctity of the election process will remain No. 1 on the league's national agenda.

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    Ailene Taylor of Greenbrae is a long-time member of the League of Women Voters of Marin County.