Citizenship: A Manual for Voters

"Citizenship: A Manual for Voters" by Emma Guy Cromwell is a practical guidebook aimed at new voters, specifically focusing on the responsibilities and rights of citizenship in the early 20th century. Written in the 1920s, during a time of significant social change—especially regarding women's suffrage—the book serves as an educational resource that emphasizes the importance of informed voting and active participation in the democratic process. In "Citizenship: A Manual for Voters," Cromwell outlines the definition and significance of citizenship, detailing the rights afforded to citizens, including suffrage, while discussing the duties that come with such rights. The book provides insights into the structure of government at local, state, and national levels, elaborates on the processes of registering to vote, and encourages voters—especially women—to understand political issues and engage with political parties. Cromwell advocates for a well-informed electorate, emphasizing that voting is not only a privilege but a civic duty, thereby underpinning the foundation of a stable and effective democracy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Emma Guy Cromwell was a suffragist, women's rights activist, and early female Democratic Party politician from Kentucky in the United States. Cromwell became the first woman to hold a statewide office in Kentucky when she was elected state librarian in 1896 by a vote of the Kentucky State Senate. Later she won elections for the position of Secretary of State and Kentucky State Treasurer, and was appointed state park director, state bond commissioner, and State Librarian and Director of Archives.