Reverend Marlin Lane Rankin, an alumnus of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Romney, West Virginia, was a delegate representing Ravenswood, Jackson County, when West Virginia addressed ratification of the 19th Amendment, women’s right to vote. The special session, called by Governor John Jacob Cornwell of Romney, was held between February 27–March 11, 1920, and was considered the most dramatic legislative session in the history of West Virginia. Ultimately, West Virginia’s State Senate achieved a one-vote victory that established West Virginia as the 34th of 36 states needed for ratification of the federal amendment, and without West Virginia’s vote, the amendment would not have been ratified in 1920.
The battle in the State’s Senate received the most attention, but a tough battle was also fought in the House of Delegates, as the opposition did everything it could to kill ratification. That’s where Delegate Rankin became a hero for women’s right to vote. He used his strong parliamentary skills to quickly stymie numerous motions by the opposition, thereby helping to keep the House on the side of ratification. He was a minister in the Presbyterian church, and gave five opening prayers during that special session, when he likely broached the subject of ratification in his remarks. He achieved much acclaim for his efforts, and was invited to give the opening prayer when Delaware’s House of Representatives met to address ratification of the 19th amendment later that March. The Delaware press reported on Delegate Rankin’s pro-suffrage prayer, and his lengthy trip to that state, which he used to defend West Virginia’s vote, and to advocate for suffrage.
Reverend Marlin Lane Rankin was educated in the School for the Blind, within West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind (WVSDB), in Romney, West Virginia. The school should be proud of him and their role in his education, giving him the skills and confidence to succeed as a blind person. This background allowed Marlin Lane Rankin to play a pivotal role in the state’s legislature in 1920, when women finally gained the right to vote.
For more information regarding West Virginia’s ratification battle and the important roles played by politicians from Romney, see the “All Aboard for Women’s Right to Vote” geocache. Note, that geocache, which is at the Old Depot Station, and the “Old Barn” geocache both have connections with the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind.
Please note that Marlin Lane Rankin’s name is correctly listed here, but is incorrectly listed on his bio page in West Virginia’s Blue Book (erroneously listed as George Leane Rankin) for when he served in the House of Delegates; and that has led to some incorrect references to him in the press and various histories. Thanks to Dan Oates, the School’s historian, for bringing this to our attention.
Nancy Judd and Luanne Smith, representing the Hampshire County Arts Council, and Melanie Hesse, Dean of Students/Principal of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind, were instrumental in the creation and placement of this geocache. Thank you to Mr. Bobby Catlett and his Building Maintenance and Operations class for building the shelf for the container.
Thanks to Superintendent Clayton Burch of the WVSDB and Mayor Beverly Keadle of Romney, who are supporting efforts to recognize Marlin Lane Rankin.
This cache is designed for usage by the deaf and blind, and located on the grounds of the school in an area open to the public. In addition to the typical log book, this cache will also have a slate and stylus for a braille log.