I don’t remember much from history books about American Suffragists, the women who fought for almost 100 years so that I could have the right to vote. There might have been a few photos of some old-fashioned looking ladies in big hats carrying signs.

I never knew that suffragists were imprisoned, beaten and risked their lives so that I could have a voice in my government. Then I heard about Iron Jawed Angels, an HBO film about the courage of these women. I tracked it down and watched it. It was so moving, it inspired me to do some research on my own, to learn more of the story.

Click here to hear the entire radio program: KPBS