Dixie Christian (left) won an award for most authentic hat. She is seated with Barbara Cager. They came in from Fort Worth as they are AAUW district representatives. They attended the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Tyler Branch Equi-Tea at Hollytree Country Club. to recognize the amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave women the right to vote in 1920.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Tyler Branch hosted an Equi-Tea this weekend on the birthday of women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony.

On Saturday, AAUW Tyler came together at Hollytree Country Club to recognize the amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave women the right to vote in 1920.

AAUW Tyler President Jackie Littleton said reaching the 100th year mark of women being able to vote is a monumental anniversary.

“It’s a celebration of this anniversary of the 19th Amendment,” Littleton said. “So since she (Anthony) was one of the instigators, we held a tea in her honor.”

Attendees also had a hat contest and voted on the most important woman in the past 100 years. Civil rights movement activist Rosa Parks was chosen as one of the most important women, Littleton said.

AAUW is a non-partisan nonprofit promoting the equity and education of women and girls with research, education and advocacy. Anyone with an associate, bachelor’s or higher degree can be a member, according to the group’s national website.

“This year especially we’re celebrating our right to vote and we don’t take that for granted,” she said. “People don’t have equal rights if they can’t vote.”

They also did a quilt raffle to honor Anthony, who would spread her message of women’s rights at quilting bees, Littleton said.

Diane Kavanaugh, AAUW Tyler treasurer, said college students were invited as well to help them remember that women once could not vote.

“Having an event like this allows people to come together and think about that there was a time when women couldn’t vote,” Kavanaugh said.

Susan Garrison, AAUW Tyler membership chair, said it’s been a short 100 years since women were given the right to vote, and a lot of progress has been made.