An 81-Year-Old Woman Is Going Viral For Voting For The First Time After Her Late Husband Didn’t Think She Should

According to WSB-TV Atlanta, the 81-year-old said she had never voted because her husband did not think she should.

Posted on Oct 17, 2024 UTC

by Alana V.BuzzFeed Staff

I'm an LA-based trending news writer covering style, politics, and internet culture.

An elderly woman in a dark coat speaks outside during early voting in Newton County, as shown on a news broadcast

Elderly woman standing in a parking lot, speaking during a news segment about early voting in Newton County

People have had many reactions since the story made its rounds on Twitter. "I'm angered, saddened, appalled…and rejoicing…all at the same time," one person wrote.

I’m angered, saddened, appalled…and rejoicing…all at the same time. https://t.co/3jmNH6SucD
— Vonnetta L. West (@VonnettaLWest) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @VonnettaLWest

"One of the saddest things I've ever heard," someone else said.

One of the saddest things I’ve ever heard https://t.co/TIMvDf4umI
— Kenny BooYah! 🖖🏾 (@KwikWarren) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @KwikWarren

"misogyny is an insane thing for a woman who had the right to vote for her entire lifetime and never got to do it until now.." another person tweeted.

misogyny is an insane thing for a woman who had the right to vote for her entire lifetime and never got to do it until now.. https://t.co/p8BJac3eIp
— 🧡✨happy mal•loween ✨🧡 (@stellarghouls) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @stellarghouls

As Betty's story goes viral, many have pointed out that she's likely not the only woman whose vote is controlled by their husband.

The amount of women that fall in this catergory would surprise you or ones that feel like they have to vote who their husbands vote for. It's sad.
— Stephanie Hypes (@StephanieHypes) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @StephanieHypes

Whether or not women vote like their husbands has been a decades-long debate. Overall, it's hard to know exactly how much influence men have over the votes of wives or women in their lives, but Betty's story reminded people that it may be more common than we think.

Just WOW.

Think we’d be surprised to learn how many women are in this category or merely vote how their husbands tell them to. https://t.co/z57CoRql30
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @jemelehill

Olivia Dreizen Howell, the CEO and cofounder of Fresh Starts Registry & Vote Without Fear, a website that helps women have a voice after a breakup or divorce, tweeted that she's been getting the question, "Can my husband find out who I am voting for in the presidential election?" a lot ahead of Nov. 5.

"Can my husband find out who I am voting for in the Presidential Election?" 🗳️

We've been getting this question a lot, so we rounded up some helpful facts. Please share this 🧵
— Olivia (@thedigitalyenta) August 7, 2024

Twitter: @thedigitalyenta

She reminded women that while it's public record that you voted, how you filled out your ballot is not public record. "You do not have to tell your husband or boyfriend who you voted for," she tweeted in response to Betty's viral story.

You do not have to tell your husband or boyfriend who you voted for. He will not and cannot find out who you voted for, unless you tell him. It’s your vote!

For more info on voting safely: https://t.co/gnVPq539MI or call 888-291-3027 (English) or 866-675-1561 (Spanish)…
— Olivia (@thedigitalyenta) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @thedigitalyenta

This isn't the first time women have sent the "woman to woman" reminder that they have the right to their own concealed and protected vote before Election Day. Earlier this year, sticky notes started popping up in women's restrooms, reminding women what's on the line and that their votes are private.

Thank you to the woman who left this in my bathroom stall at the MN State Fair 💕 pic.twitter.com/5ecPLZ9WX8
— C. Severson (@minnesotadogmom) August 28, 2024

Twitter: @minnesotadogmom

According to a survey by KFF, abortion has emerged as the most important issue in the November election for women under 30.

Others have shared their own experience witnessing men silencing women's vote. One person wrote, "As a poll worker, I have had to deal with husbands and fathers who want to join their wives or daughters in the voting booth to 'make sure they vote the right way.'"

As a poll worker, I have had to deal with husbands and fathers who want to join their wives or daughters in the voting booth to “make sure they vote the right way “.
— Jonathan Nori (@JNori) August 8, 2024

Twitter: @JNori

Similarly, in response to Betty's story, Mandy Powers Norrell, a former Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, recalled when she called a woman to thank her for her vote during her first campaign, only to be met by an angry husband on the other line. "He was furious and screamed, 'my wife will NOT be voting for you!'"

In my first campaign in 2008, the night before Election Day, i called through a list of people who’d committed to vote for me - to thank them. I called one woman and her husband answered. He was furious and screamed “my wife will NOT be voting for you!” I thanked him and told him…
— Mandy Powers Norrell (@MPowersNorrell) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @MPowersNorrell

While Betty's story may come as a shock, it's a reminder that women are still fighting for their autonomy, and many still don't have it, even within their own homes. After all, it wasn't until 1974, when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act passed, that women were allowed even to open their own bank accounts. Women were only allowed to start their own businesses without a signature from a man in 1988 — that's only 36(!) years ago. And even when discrimination gets eradicated "legally," it doesn't always mean it does in the home, at school, or even in the rhetoric of our country's leaders.

Today, the power of women's vote matters more than ever. If you're a Betty or know someone who might be, remember, as this person tweeted, "Your vote is private. Your vote is yours and yours alone. Don't let anyone take that away from you."

The number of women who could tell this story…

Your vote is private. Your vote is yours and yours alone. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. https://t.co/z5IB1bioSu
— Carrie Tan (@CarrieATan) October 17, 2024

Twitter: @CarrieATan

An 81-Year-Old Woman Is Going Viral For Voting For The First Time After Her Late Husband Didn’t Think She Should

An 81-year-old woman is going viral for casting her first-ever vote, but the reason why is shocking people.

According to the news station, Cartledge said she had never voted because her husband did not think she should. He died last year. This year, she voted.

She told WSB-TV, "I was so young and everything when we got married, I didn't ever think about it. And then when I got old, I still didn't think about it, [that] it would count."

Now, she's hoping to keep voting. "It was neat, it was good," Cartledge said of going to the polls for the first time. "If I'm here, I'll be back."