VERY IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A U.S. PRESIDENT AND THE NEWLY RATIFIED WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT

TAFT, William Howard (1857-1930). Autograph Manuscript Signed, New Haven, June 14 1920. Two short pages on one small leaf. Leaf approximately 95 x 185 mm. On cream paper with two hole-punched holes on the left margin. Faint crease to left margin. “We are about to incorporate into our electorate the women of the country. We need more than ever women who are leaders. They should be thoroughly educated. Upon the women’s colleges of the country is thus thrust a greater responsibility than ever. They must have competent faculties so situated as to do their best work. They must be properly paid to do this. Smith College has a larger student body of women than any undergraduate institution. Friends of progress should rally to support Smith to secure an adequate fund to enable the college to serve its high purpose. Wm. H Taft New Haven June 14 1920”. At the time this was written, the nineteenth amendment granting voting rights to women had passed both houses of Congress and was being ratified by the states (it would take only two months for full ratification). Taft was the 27th President of the United States, and later became the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.