Lenna Lowe Yost was a prominent women's rights advocate born in Basnettville, West Virginia, in 1878.

After moving to Morgantown, she became active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the West Virginia Equal Suffrage Association.

In 1916, she led a statewide campaign for an amendment granting women voting rights. The referendum failed, but suffrage supporters continued organizing.

Following congressional approval of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1919, Yost returned to West Virginia to direct the state's ratification campaign.

Governor John J. Cornwell called a special legislative session in 1920. The House approved ratification on March 3, but the Senate became deadlocked.

Senator Jesse Bloch returned from California to cast a decisive supporting vote.

On March 10, 1920, the Senate approved ratification by 15 votes to 14.

West Virginia became the thirty-fourth state to ratify the amendment. Nationwide ratification followed in August 1920.

Yost's leadership contributed to women's electoral equality and helped strengthen women's participation in public life.

Today, a historical marker near Elizabeth Moore Hall at West Virginia University commemorates her work.