My great-grandmother was the first female in my family to vote in 1917. She came to America from Italy and stayed 5 years until my great-grandfather’s job as a carpenter was complete. Her name was Luisa Nunzio-Caprio and she was in America long enough to obtain her American citizenship. She was an educated teacher in Italy and had a strong opinion about women’s rights.

Coming to America for such a short period of time and becoming a housewife was not an option. She fought for her citizenship, and thus was able to vote amongst many independent women at that time.