Two months before ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, Lillian Exum Clement was nominated by Buncombe County democrats to serve in the State House. She overwhelmingly defeated two male opponents in the primary and took her seat Jan. 5, 1921. She was the first woman in the South to hold legislative office and will be honored 95 years later during tours celebrating March as Women's History Month at the State Capitol.
The next "Under the Dome Discovery Tour" March 19 will focus on women who served in the State Capitol, and guide visitors to spaces normally closed to the public. Tours are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a $17 fee. Spaces are limited, so participants must register and pre-pay. Participants must be at least 10 years old and comfortable climbing stairs and in confined spaces. Please call (919) 733-4994 for information or reservations.
The 2016 National Women's History Monththeme is "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government." This theme honors women who have shaped America's history and its future through leadership and public service.
Gertrude Dills McKee, who in 1930 was elected to the state Senate, also will be recognized. She won by the largest majority of any candidate in the field and was the first woman to serve in the state Senate.
The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. For additional information about the Capitol please call (919) 733-4994.
The State Capitol is bounded by Edenton, Salisbury, Morgan and Wilmington Streets and is located at One East Edenton Street, Raleigh. It is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.