Frank M. Thompson (the bald one) looks on as Governor Albert H. Roberts signs the certification giving women the right to vote
Local attorney Neal Thompson has an historic photo marking the signing that sealed the right for women to vote.
It features his great-grandfather, Frank M. Thompson, who was the attorney general for Tennessee for 11 years (from 1915-1926.)
The photo shows Tennessee Gov. Albert H. Roberts signing the document in which Tennessee narrowly ratified the 19th Amendment. Tennessee was the 36th state to approve giving women the right to vote - the number needed for it to become law.
Following his election, Governor Roberts had called a special session of the General Assembly to consider ratification of the 19th Amendment. The state Senate approved the amendment by a 25 to 4 margin, and it narrowly passed in the state House by a 50 to 46 vote.
The Roberts signing came on Aug. 24, 1920, after anti-suffragists sought to block it in court. Their attempt was blocked by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Neal Thompson, like his great-grandfather, had a career in the law.