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Teacher’s Guide to Accompany HBO Films’ Iron Jawed Angels Developed by TIME Learning Ventures

ntil 1920, american women GUUIIDE C After Viewing IINN TTHHIISS G M did not have the constitutional The running time of Iron Jawed Angels is ◗ Y U right to vote. Iron Jawed Angels, 120 minutes. This film can spark lively Why Is History Relevant K a new movie by HBO Films, chronicles a and thought-provoking discussion on a To Young People? TIME Imaging TIME key chapter in the struggle for women’s wide array of topics. Suggested discus- ◗ Opposition to suffrage in the U.S. The film focuses on sion starters include: Women’s Suffrage: two visionary activists, and Documents for Analysis , who broke from the main- GOALS AND TACTICS ◗ Starting Points for stream suffrage movement and created a What is suffrage? What was the goal of Research and Writing radical new organization of their own. Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Carrie Chap- ◗ Resources for They staged the first-ever pickets at the man Catt and other suffragists? Where Further Exploration White House, defied a wartime Presi- did the struggle for women’s suffrage dent, and played a crucial role in secur- stand as of 1912, when the film opens? ing support for the 19th Amendment. (See the “Votes for Women” map on MILITANT TACTICS The film draws its title from the nick- page 8 of the inTIME magazine.) Ben What was the reaction of the press, the name a Congressman gave to the “iron- Weissman asks Alice Paul, “What will White House, jawed” women who launched a hunger women do with their vote? Reform pol- and NAWSA to the NWP’s decision to strike after they were imprisoned for itics?” What does she answer? What picket the White House? How did the picketing the White House. Slated to can one do with one’s vote? declaration of war in 1917 affect suffra- premiere on February 15—the birthday gists on the picket line? Describe the of suffrage pioneer Susan B. Anthony— SOURCES OF INSPIRATION arrests and imprisonment in Occoquan. Iron Jawed Angels will introduce stu- Where did Alice Paul and Lucy Burns How did the women come to be called dents to a riveting chapter in U.S. history. get their inspiration? What tactics did “Iron Jawed Angels”? Not only does this film celebrate the British suffragists such as Emmeline continued on page 2 contributions of two heroic women, but Pankhurst employ? How does Carrie it also highlights the process by which a Catt refer to the British activists? constitutional amendment is ratified. STRATEGIC DIFFERENCES NOTE: Iron Jawed Angels is rated TV- Explain the strategic differences over 14. Teachers are encouraged to preview how to win the vote for women. When the film before assigning it for viewing. and why did Paul and Burns break from ON A limited quantity of school-version tapes NAWSA and form the Congressional will be available after February 15. If Union? What was their goal? When did you’d like a school version of the film, the Congressional Union become the please send your name, school name National Woman’s Party? How was the and address information via e-mail to death of a turning point ijaschooltapes@.com. in the crusade for ?

Before Viewing WHOSE STRUGGLE? 1. Ask students: Imagine that women What role did African-American women were banned from voting today. What play in the struggle for universal suf- would the impact be on life in the U.S.? frage? What statement does Ida Wells- 2. Why do you think millions of women Barnett make to Alice Paul? How does and men opposed allowing women Paul respond? What was your reaction to to vote? (See page 3 of this guide for a this exchange? What stand did Wells- reproducible worksheet on this topic.) Barnett take at the 1913 suffrage parade? DEMMIE TODD/HBO

HBO consents on a quitclaim basis to your making one videotape of Iron Jawed Angels for five years from airdate for Premieres Sunday, educational purposes within the curriculum only. HBO reserves all rights of every kind. Both the Teacher’s Guide and any February 15, 2004, at 9:30PM/8:30C videotape made of the film are intended for the sole use of educators, administrators and their students and may not be re- broadcast, recablecast or repackaged, nor may they be sublicensed, distributed, given or sold in whole or in part to any other person or institution. Your use of the Teacher’s Guide and this film constitutes your agreement to comply with these terms. inTIME/Iron Jawed Angels

continued from page 1 pened in the 1916 elections? Describe QUOTES FOR ANALYSIS the interactions between Wilson and the Discuss the following quotations. Explain NONVIOLENT PROTEST suffragists. What finally changed Wil- each statement and place it in context. How did the jailed suffragists protest? son’s mind? What did he do? According Ruza Wenclawska: “A vote is a fire With what results? Describe Alice Paul’s to Wilson, in what ways was suffrage for escape.” interview with the prison psychiatrist women a war measure? : “We shall fight for and his report to the White House. Can the things which we have always carried you imagine going on a ? AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION nearest to our hearts, for democracy, TIME Imaging What might motivate such a decision? What is the significance of the fiction- for the right of those who submit to K Do you think the suffragists were actually alized story of Emily Leighton and her authority to have a voice in their own Y willing to die for their cause? Senator husband? Who cast the crucial governments.” M vote for the 19th Amendment? What Alice Paul: “Look into your own heart, C POLITICAL PRISONERS was the Amendment called? Review I swear to you, mine’s no different.…You What does it mean to be a political pris- the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Con- want a voice in the government under oner as opposed to a prisoner jailed for a stitution. How is a constitutional which you live? So do I.” criminal offense? In your view, do the amendment ratified? suffragists qualify as political prisoners? THE BIG PICTURE ELEMENTS OF STYLE Would you characterize Alice Paul and THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE What contemporary elements did Lucy Burns as heroes? As patriots? Review Woodrow Wilson’s stance on director incorporate in What contributions did each make to suffrage. How and why did his position the film? In your view, how do these sty- the suffrage movement? To American on votes for women evolve? What hap- listic decisions affect the film’s impact? democracy? “It’s not old, tired, dead history”

PROFESSOR EDITH MAYO, CURATOR EMERITUS IN POLITICAL AND WOMEN’S HISTORY This film focuses on AT THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, SERVED AS AN a crucial segment of ADVISOR TO IRON JAWED ANGELS. MAYO SHARED HER THOUGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE American“ history that OF SUFFRAGE HISTORY AND THE FILM’S APPEAL TO YOUNG PEOPLE. What makes the work of Alice Paul What can young people take away is virtually unknown. and her colleagues historically from Iron Jawed Angels? —PROFESSOR EDITH ”MAYO significant? This film makes immediate and These women pioneered tactics compelling a crucial segment of Amer- Can you talk about the relationship of that were used later ican history that is virtually unknown. between Alice Paul and Carrie Catt? by the civil rights movement. It’s It makes Alice Paul and Lucy Burns These two women just hated each profound: Martin Luther King and look like vital, dynamic, exuberant other. Catt really felt that Paul’s mili- Gandhi both said they had adopted women who were politically committed tancy would backfire and harm the a number of nonviolent protest tech- and intellectually really sharp. It also entire movement. I think Martin Luther niques from the suffrage movement. makes them look modern, so that it’s King and Malcolm X had a better Gandhi had witnessed the British not old, tired, dead history. I think the channel of communication than Catt suffragists when he was in Britain; film shows the women’s organizational and Paul did. But in every successful King picked up from the suffrage talents, their strategies and their political/social reform movement in movement through Gandhi’s writings. commitment to the cause extremely the U.S., there has always been a I doubt that King would ever have well. And the film makes this history radical, militant group that pushes read about these women in any sort relevant for modern women and young the envelope and then sends the Pres- of history course that he took in the people today, in a way that I don’t ident and Congress running into the United States, because the suffra- think reading any book can possibly arms of the moderates, who begin to gists were pretty much written out of do. Having said that, I don’t think look extremely sane and reasonable. American history. But the parallels Alice would ever have worn those That’s the nature of social reform between the movements are very gorgeous clothes. But never mind— movements in the U.S. And I think dramatic. that’s dramatic license. the film captures that quite effectively.

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★ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (2) CONGRESS OF LIBRARY PPOSITION PPOSITION How How do you imagine Alice Paul What were some of the primary Describe the scene portrayed in the Describe the scene portrayed What conceptions of women, men, For Discussion or Writing or Discussion For 1. presented are government and family “normala is How documents? these in woman” defined? 2. for against suffrage women? arguments seem most reasonable Of these, which to you? Which seem most far-fetched? 3. cartoon. Whose fears about women’s expressed? are changing roles 4. would respond to the cartoonist, the author of the flyer and the men in the photograph? PAST TO PRESENT What barriers to full equality between American in exist still men and women What do you think accounts for society? these obstacles? For example, why do you think the United States has never had a female President? O O the the task.

NDERSTANDING NDERSTANDING

attain through commanding. producing producing conditions from which every normal woman shrinks. naturally have to serve as jurors, and be compelled to hear all incident the to repugnant murder details trials and trials for other crimes disclosing unspeakable wickedness. Jury service is abhorrent to every normal woman. who afford full protection to the community, there being no call for women for call no being there community, the to protection full whoafford the of to relieve them right of women to be consulted as to whether they shall or shall not be given and privilege under the laws than do women of any state women where vote. the ballot. on the contrary, in the heat of a campaign, on it the is to contrary, sure bring about dissension and discord. against against woman—they write an indictment of womankind women right-minded strenuously protest. against which all duty duty is imposed by nature upon absolved man, from the assuming a task to them women impossible. being by nature aced fierce women opposition—from as well as Issued by the Nebraska Association Opposed to Women Suffrage, Omaha, Nebraska. Nebraska. Omaha, Suffrage, Women to Opposed Association the Nebraska by Issued

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t’s hard to hard imagine that until was t’s 1920, intense there to allowed be should women whether about debate BECAUSE BECAUSE women realize that when they become voters they will in consequence BECAUSE in political activities there is constant strife, turmoil, contention and bitterness, and contention turmoil, strife, constant is there activities political in BECAUSE BECAUSE they have not lost faith in their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers, brothers, and sons husbands, fathers, their in faith lost not have they BECAUSE Ten Reasons Why Ten Majority of Women The Great the Ballot. Do Not Want BECAUSE the woman BECAUSE worker wants rest and quietude—not political excitement. BECAUSE every reason supporting the claim of women to vote supports also the BECAUSE BECAUSE Nebraska women are already enjoying a greater measure of protection BECAUSE BECAUSE woman suffrage will not enhance peace and harmony in the home, but, BECAUSE BECAUSE women can accomplish more through counselling than they ever can BECAUSE when women noisily contest and for BECAUSE scramble public office—woman pitted BECAUSE the primary object of government is to protect persons and property. This property. and persons protect to is government of object primary the BECAUSE

©2003 This Time Inc. page may be photocopied for use with students. inTIME/Iron Jawed Angels inTIME/Iron Jawed source documents. Then answer the questions below. documents. Then answer the source of the strategies they employed. Study these primary- suffrage, known as anti-suffragists, raised, as well as some raised, known as anti-suffragists, suffrage, help explain some of the objections that opponents of men. The handbill, cartoon and photograph on this page this on photograph and cartoon handbill, The men. I leagues f vote in the United States. But Alice Paul and her col-