Today in Philippine History: Women Win Right to Vote

APRIL 30, 1937

In a special plebiscite, women won the right to vote after 90% were in favor of the measure. 447,725 were for yes while only 44,307 said no. This was the result of a law passed by the National Assembly under the 1935 Constitution which extended the right of women to vote which required only 300,000 votes. In 1907, Congressman Filemon Sotto of Cebu filed a women’s suffrage bill in the American-sponsored Philippine Assembly upon the encouragement of Pura Villanueva Kalaw, a women’s rights pioneer. Their dream would only be a reality 30 years later.

Photo credit: http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/