The Democratic National starts in less than a week, on July 25, 2016. Reverend Leah D. Daughty says that this will be “the most diverse and the most forward-looking convention that we’ve had in recent history.”
Here’s a quick timeline of some of the most important moments in history for Democratic women!
1900 — The first time a woman ever attended a Democratic National Convention as a delegate. Elizabeth Cohen was a suffrage activist, originally elected as an alternative, but became the delegate after the man chosen became ill.
1920 — United States ratify the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote. At the Democratic convention of 1920, there were 93 female delegates and 206 female alternatives.
1971 — Betty Friedman, Millie Jeffrey, Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, Gloria Steinem and other women from the National Women’s Political Caucus make it their mission to help more women enter elected office. The following year, the NWPC make their first appearance at the Democratic convention, campaigning for issues like reproductive rights to be a part of the official platform.
1972 — Shirley Chisholm is the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Chisholm was also the first black woman elected to Congress in 1968, and finished forth in the delegate count at the convention. In addition, Presidential candidate George McGovern makes Jean Westwood the chair of the Democratic National Committee, which is the first time a woman has ever held that spot.
1976 — Democratic Texas Representative Barbara Jordan gives the keynote at the DNC, the first time a woman or African-American has ever given that prestigious address.
1978 — The Democratic Party adopts the “equal division” rule, stating that their convention have an equal number of men and women as delegates.
1984 — Geraldine Ferraro is the first time a woman is on a presidential ticket when she becomes the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee. In the same year, Barbara Mikulski becomes the first Democratic woman to hold a Senate seat that was not previously occupied by her husband.
2007 — Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female speaker of the House.
2016 — Hillary Clinton becomes the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, which is the first time a woman has ever been at the top of the ticket.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Democratic National Convention, sure to bring create more history for Democratic women!
WHO
There will be an estimated 50,000 people in attendance: CEOs, delegates, super delegates, press, activists, protesters, Hillary Clinton, and her long-awaited running mate.
WHAT
The delegates from each state will nominate Hillary Clinton and her Vice President as candidates for the 2016 election. The Democratic Party will also adopt the official Democratic Party platform.
WHERE
The Democratic National Convention of 2016 will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
WHEN
The event takes place from Monday, July 25
to Thursday, July 28, 2016.
HOW
If you are not one of the lucky few invited to the convention, Twitter will be streaming the CBS News coverage of the DNC, and you can follow the Twitter accounts @DemConvention @PhiladelphiaGov @LeahDaughtry and the tags #DemsInPhilly and #DemConvention. There is also an app that can be found in the App and Google Play stores.