In 1872, Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting in the presidential election. The next year a jury of men, who Anthony noted were not her peers, convicted the famous activist of casting a ballot while having a uterus – a criminal act at the time. When the judge told her that the conviction had been “rendered by law,” she essentially told him to take his law and shove it.

“Yes, but laws made by men, under a government of men, interpreted by men and for the benefit of men. The only chance women have for justice in this country is to violate the law, as I have done, and as I shall continue to do.”

As I painted Anthony’s name on this sign I cried. Women like Susan B. Anthony risked their livelihoods and reputations, broke the law, and convinced other women to do the same so that I could vote. I thought about what it would mean to her to have the chance to vote for the first woman president of the United States and how proud she would be that I was taking mine.