Febb & harry t. burn

The Burn Memorial, located in Knoxville, honors Febb Ensminger Burn, the Tennessee mother whose simple letter changed the course of American history. In August 1920, her son, Harry T. Burn, was a young legislator expected to vote against the 19th Amendment. But in his pocket he carried a note from Febb urging him to “be a good boy” and support women’s right to vote.

Harry followed her advice, casting the decisive vote that made Tennessee the “Perfect 36” — the final state needed to ratify the amendment. The Febb Burn Monument pays tribute not only to her influence as a mother, but also to the thousands of women whose voices and determination secured the right to vote.

This monument stands as a reminder that sometimes the quietest voices can make the loudest impact.