Black women legally gained the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote regardless of sex. However, despite this legal right, many Black women were effectively prevented from voting due to racial discrimination, intimidation, literacy tests, poll taxes, and violence, especially in southern states. It was not until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that these racial barriers were largely eliminated, enabling Black women to exercise their voting rights fully in practice.
Timeline and Key Details
- The Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920, legally granting women the right to vote including Black women, but it did not stop racial disenfranchisement.
- Black women faced systemic barriers such as intimidation, poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence that kept many from voting for decades.
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was the crucial legislation that removed these discriminatory practices and ensured voting rights for Black Americans, including Black women.
Summary
While Black women technically gained the right to vote in 1920 with women broadly, it was the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that secured their practical ability to vote free from severe racial barriers, marking the true realization of their voting rights in the United States.
