At this point in 1919, women of America sensed power was coming to them shortly. Both houses of Congress had approved the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. Just over a year later, in August 1920, enough states had ratified the amendment that it took effect and women could vote.

After a century, the United States is still waiting for its first female president.

Virginians should be used to that. The Commonwealth of Virginia did not ratify the 19th amendment until 32 years after it went into effect, in 1952.

And Virginia still has not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, which remains “in waiting.” The ERA, as a companion to the voting for women amendment, was introduced in Congress in the early 1920s. It was approved by the House and Senate in 1971 and 1972, and sent to the states … and failed. Some revival attempts have had limited success. Virginia’s legislature turned away an effort this year. What’s the holdup? ...