Now through Aug. 31, the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library will host “Rightfully Hers,” a pop-up exhibit from the National Archives commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which finally gave women the right to vote.

A democracy isn’t really a democracy until everyone can participate, which makes women’s suffrage, the 14th and 15th Amendments granting citizenship and protections to Black Americans, and the Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts of the 1960s among the biggest steps this nation took toward becoming a more perfect union.

The anniversary of those milestones ought to be celebrated right up there with the Fourth of July.

We are thrilled that the Alcona County Library can bring a commemoration of the women’s suffrage movement to Northeast Michigan, and we encourage all readers to take the time to check it out.

When you do, take the time to ponder on the bravery and persistence of those who fought for the right to have a say in the direction of their country, to appreciate their tenacity, and to think about the steps you might take to push America even further toward a more perfect union.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)