Vintage Colorado Poetry Poem of the Week November 1, 2004
	In 1893, women "got the vote" in Colorado.  Anna Pritchard lived in southern Colorado not far from Pueblo.  Despite the stilted poetic language, young Anna Pritchard captures the excitement of the historic breakthrough for women.  At the time, Anna Pritchard was in her late teens and soon bound for college in Boulder.
						for Election Day November 2nd
		Colorado.  On the Adoption of Equal Suffrage My Colorado, just and fearless state, How hast thou added to thy glorious name By this new victory, this ennobling step Toward universal justice!  Thou hast placed Its rightful crown upon each daughter's brow, And given into her hands, though all untaught, The mighty scepter of thy government; Because thy thoughtful heart is just, and dares A transient evil for a lasting good; Because thy watchful eyes are quick to see Thy children should be ruling side by side, With equal rights and duties.  Equal rights, Since both are human; equal duties, too, To strengthen all the thews of moral growth, And make them men and women rightfully. I thank thee, noble state, that I can breathe An air so vivified by liberty As thine hast ever been.  Oh never doubt But thou has chosen wisely; hands untaught Are teachable, and strength and wisdom come With use and years.  Thou hast done well to trust A nobler weapon to the hands that once Wielded the axe and rifle in thy dark And danger-haunted forests, side by side With manly strength and daring.                                                                                      Womanhood Having received new rights, will strive to fill The measure of thy just demands, and grow To fuller height and beauty.  Thou shalt reap, Oh mother state, a rich reward for this, Though done in justice not in charity.                            --Anna Pritchard Reprinted from Evenings with Colorado Poets, Denver, 1894.
							Home Table of Contents