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Home , Alva Belmont, Doris Stevens, Inez Milholland, Jailed for Freedom, Jeannette Rankin, Lucy Burns

The Road to Women’s Rights Historic , Inc. Hallway Exhibit

Exhibit 2 – on view to December 31, 2017

The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917

This exhibit describes the Women’s Rights Movement in 1917. led the National American Association with her ‘Winning Plan’. and led the National Women’s Party in picketing the , resulting in the imprisonment and maltreatment of many women who picketed. The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 96-The NationalAmerican WomanSuffrage 1916 - States allowing women to vote for President prior tothe19 States allowingwomentovote for President 1870 Territory of 1869 Territory of Wyoming AS ebr eesont erc bu h ln ohne anti‐suffrag hinder to plan, suffrage. women’s the defeat about to secrecy to sworn were members NAWSA • • groups.• into states divided Plan Winning Catt’s stat the at efforts t their amendmen how concentrating national the been getting for on organization had the blueprint refocused years pu Plan NAWSA many Winning a women. America for all Plan,” National for NAWSA suffrage the 1917. “Winning full achieve of her to President resources organization’s introduced Catt, Chapman (NAWSA), Carrie Association 1916, September In Territories grantingwomenthe right to vote prior to statehood Woman SuffragepassesinsomeStates npiais eedn ntestaini ahsae steeddntreq not did these as state, each in situation voters. the pr the before in on suffrag rights the depending voting for for primaries, worse campaign be in should suf would state they level for Instead, state try campaigns. the not mounting to at were defeats chance that much believed have Catt not did thought Catt to who were States suffrage state winning of chance good suffrage. a state for had thought Catt that States nationa a for work would suffrage women’s achieved already had which Those State’s of passage a Association enacts a ‘Winning Plan’ NAWSA in 1917, bringing with it alargecontingent Congressiof 1917 1917 1917 Nebraska 1913 hl ekn oaedteU osiuin the state-by- Constitution, a campaign. waged state US also the movement suffrage amend women’s to seeking While 1887 Territory of 1883 Territory of Washington States granting women therightto States granting vote priorto suffrage referendum an was import The Winning Plan 1919 Maine 1919 Iowa 1917 1917 North Dakota 1912 1912 Arizona 1911 1910 Washington 1896 Idaho 1896 Utah 1893 1890 Wyoming The territory of Wyoming was the first to give women the vote in 1869. the 19 th 1919 Wisconsin 1919 1919 Missouri 1919 Minnesota amendment 1918 South Dakota 1918 Oklahoma 1918 1917 New York 1914 Nevada 1914 Montana 1912 titintoactioninJanuary passed. t 1913 Territory of Alaska sdnileetos or elections, esidential eforcesintheirefforts emovementthannot amendment. l nWomanSuffrage ieareferendum a uire rg eeed,as referenda, frage ee,btCatt’s but level, e ant victory for on campaigns mount obestuseher onal votes. th amendment The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 nOctober In September In 4 September 17 August 16 August 15 August 14 August 14 July 4 July 26 June 23 June ue22 June 20 June 2 April 17 January 9 January oebr10 November 6 November oebr14 November oebr2 28 & 27 November 23 November uigti rsnterm, prison this During months. 7 again. given arrested giv are are group and her and and tried House Paul White are Alice the sentences, They to arrested. return they are pickets, Paul, additional insi Alice prisoners, including political pickets, Twelve as treated be views. they political their that for but demand laws breaking to began Occoquan. women at days The 60 to Sentenced arrested. pickets 13 riots, of days three After arrested. participa police with continue, bul Riots a after gold, headquarters and NWP continue. white, Riots the purple destroyed suffrage, of “tricolors,” and 14 front and in pickets banners” “lettered area the the attacked clearing only sailors, rioters, and soldiers and them banners, of many Men, banner. Wilson Kaiser famous now the carried pickets Suffrage Virginia. Occoquan, in workhouse the in wer days women days. sixty Sixteen gates. to House sentenced White later the days at banne arrived they a when carried arrested were Pickets – “Gover Independence. of read Day Declaration banner the Bastille quoting Their governed,” the jailed. of and consent the tried, arrested, pickets more jail. to Eleven go S to tried. chose be and actually innocence their to on pickets insisted arrested they of jail, group in first the became Capitol. the women at Six two including arrested, women more Four ufait og nhne tie nteUS. the in strikes hunger on go to suffragists workhouse with arrested them are threatens interference. and pickets without picketing Two months replac stop were six to for as day, picketed NWP next had requests the they DC down in torn is Police banner of new Chief A down. torn is banner The message the bearing d banner few a hold A Pickets war. WWI. the enter against to voting in war colleagues of her of declaration 50 a about for join Congress asks Wilson Navy. President US the in enlist to duri woman first House White the becomes the Walsh around Perfectus march Loretta who women 1,000 ignores Wilson President t picket to there. is pickets move NWP next of their decide day women First The avail. dur no up to drawn resolutions Wilson President the present members (NWP) Party Women’s National as hyaearse,tid eesdwtotsnec;pce again, picket mor sentence; House, without White released the tried, picket arrested, women are 41 treatment, they Paul’s days, Alice to reaction In suffrage women’s accomplishment. passes state York New b treatment, this to addition In strike. ward.” hunger “psychopathic their the during in time a for held h naos“ih fTro”a Occoquan. at Terror” of “Night infamous The ugrsrksi n location. one in strikes released. hunger are suffragists imprisoned the t All serve Jail. to District sentenced the been to had returned prisoners they the when ordered Occoquan judge at The held being were women de the Continuing a treatment. used rough NWP strike. The extremely hunger on with go all pickets they prisoners, arrived newly 33 six to to up length in range Sentences time. third a arrested and again, picket r eidtergtt oe rsdn isni h he poeto thei of opponent before chief people its the liberate is must it Wilson a government not President our Tell is vote. free. America really to that nation you right tell the America of denied women are the we Envoys, Russian the “To “Kaiser Wilson, have you forgotten how you sympathized with the . h o ilnetre noariot a into turned violence mob the rto aescorpus habeas of writ hnakdtecag hywr odte a en“btutn h traffi the “obstructing been had they told were they charge the asked when ; lc aladRs iso,bt led ntepio optl eoeth become hospital, prison the in already both Winslow, Rose and Paul Alice tteWieHuepttoigfrtergtt oe is ru faykind any of group first vote; to right the for petitioning House White the at i ikt r retd re,adsnecdt hrydy nteOccoqu the in days thirty to sentenced and tried, arrested, are pickets six 20,000,000 American women are not self‐governed. ig vr10adtoa anr a banners additional 100 Over ting. edn Lbry qaiy Frate Equality, “Liberty, reading r omk h oenetpouetepioesi or n xli why explain and court in prisoners the produce government the make to Take the beam out of your own eye.” 1917 narfrnu.Cri hpa ati ie uhcei o this for credit much given is Catt Chapman Carrie referendum. a in h uhrte eeual oda ihs aypioesalon all prisoners many so with deal to unable were authorities The rsnofcastidt aeAiePu elrdisn n h is she and insane declared Paul Alice have to tried officials Prison ueitnetWiae n i e tep osn message a send to attempt men his and Whitaker Superintendent .Policemadenoefforttoprotectthepicketsorarrestthe poor Germans because they were not self‐governed? tcncamfe usaa nally.” an as free claim can it ainlefacieet epu aethis make us Help enfranchisement. national r eorc,Tet ilo mrcnwomen American million Twenty democracy, eedestroyed. were edsryd oeo h takr are attackers the of None destroyed. re nt”t akteFec oia and holiday French the mark to rnity” ots otaesn oOccoquan. to sent are Most months. nsseddsnecs ln with Along sentences. suspended en r retd eesdt wi trial; await to released arrested, are mnsdrv hi utpwrfrom power just their derive nments t aladWnlwwr oc fed force were Winslow and Paul oth h e ikt r ie six‐month given are pickets new The hywr eesdatrol three only after released were They necdt 2 ie rtredays three or fines $25 to entenced e a ie hog idw 22 window. a through fired was let eWieHouse. White he ad ob rae spolitical as treated be to mands n nzMloln’ eoilto memorial Milholland’s Inez ing retd n fe ra few a trial a after and arrested, e reti hycniu,although continue, they if arrest hnee eoe vrafew a Over before. ever than e ghsinauguration. his ng mn banners. ement y ae enet aknwill Rankin Jeannette later ays tn hywr aldntfor not jailed were they sting h anradreplacement and banner the ertm nteDsrc Jail. District the in time heir c.” opicket to efirst an The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Fairfax amendment New Woman’s In tactics what Wilson’s British lack attempted interested NAWSA Congressional was The 1916 had Association The There January led . other of York, larger would were introduced . NAWSA County action by Democratic due Party to nearly major in 1917 two Alice to be was hold (NAWSA . on the to the started lobbying main , referred Competition one seventy Paul group, women’s her differences the the US . federal In women’s Party of political ) Constitution “Winning Setting the Stage for Picketing Stage Setting the picketing and , National 1916 whose the to the branch years . amendment Lucy suffrage, as In most vs. the National and party suffrage in “militant,” 1917 earlier, president the Plan” Burns of American tactics dramatic granting 1917 , in White NAWSA a they power groups for tactic Woman’s but and . , route but this House Carrie The women’s were Washington, all phases had . borrowed responsible Woman NWP peaceful, in American It : meant to NWP . 1917 poised had its Chapman The Party suffrage in roots suffrage . split was the women’s President Suffrage from suffrage DC, women (NWP) to for in women’s from start only Catt and was the the the in National American Woman Suffrage Association, Monday, April 2, 2, April Monday, Association, Suffrage Woman American National ofthe balcony the from speaking Montana, of Rankin, Jeannette Miss , rights the increasingly suffrage right movement Stained Glass window from NWP Headquarters, today today Headquarters, NWP from window Glass Stained to Belmont vote movement important - . Paul Paul in Events the Women’s Equality National Monument. National Equality Women’s US began, as would started momentum soon when in Seneca spill the built over National for Falls, into an 1917.

Photographer Suzanne Traut Records of the National Woman's Party, Manuscript Division, , Washington, D.C. https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000156/ Accessed 9 February 2017. “Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?” - , 1916

Inez Milholland, a labor lawyer and suffragist, collapsed during a speech on an NWP suffrage tour in California and died ten weeks later from pernicious anemia, in . Words from her speech, “Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?” became a rallying cry for the NWP. Considering her a martyr for the cause, the NWP held a memorial service for Milholland in the US Capitol, the first woman so honored.

During the service, the women drew up several resolutions to present to from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000222/. Congress, of Library the from

Movement in 1917 the President. Retrieved 1917 "Silent sentinel" Alison Turnbull Hopkins at the White House on New Jersey Day

Rights On January 9, 1917, President Wilson dismissed the suffragists’ resolutions.

Picketing of the White House began the

next day. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ggbain.11399

Women’s Women’s As an imposing herald at the front of the woman suffrage parade on , 1913, Inez Milholland led thousands of suffragists down in the nation's

Capital during the dramatic demonstration The The

for a new constitutional amendment. Congress, of Library the from Retrieved The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 of war Rankin from Jeannette give House She for Jeannette Photo Source:Photo Library Congressof First US Congresswoman First USCongresswoman Jeannette Rankin war the on continued this Montana against National Floor, , ran small Rankin Rankin again “How supported measure but to American for fight was was she shall Congress a the voted for of and pacifist we this Woman women’s first democracy explain Italy, no stance woman in . who She 1940 as Suffrage suffrage . to the voted In was to elected them and 1918 first the the against Association was women , the after vote only Rankin to reelected meaning the had her dissenting US of – US ran election been entry our for Congress, for . Women’s RightsActivist of women’s She country?” so democracy into the vote and unpopular was US World in was elected not Senate suffrage the • • • • • • War appointed allowed if declaration Washington, Jeannette In Rankin Interested send “As In against She unsuccessfully win had for first seats Montana of Rankin . the Rankin . Congress, voting to the I January the in a term in put was same anyone the to woman Montana, April Senate to later said, both Republican , her did two House to the speak against changed leading Rankin in Congress of 1917 the visited not World DC, 1968 “I the in but else only war separate I in as may Committee a can’t which during stand of , I nonviolent against 1918 . , against Brigade ” an war won’t one Democratic the member Representatives War she Senate be from independent that go , Republican of for with passed the districts because the I . be and the 50 to led Japan, reelection voted in two debate the on Born June 11, 1880 first Japan, of nomination, war, methods to Vietnam a World the d Woman Congress in vote last protest At istrict woman to during the 1914 and but . - . Died Died , 1973 Rankin Large make 5 on ” Rankin against in – War , in 000 redistricting did . War of I . the 1916 1942 march Failing Jeannette Suffrage Pacifist refuse Rankin’s U.S member Gandhi, II she not the to . . resolution House strong to . Capitol Visitor Center, . a said, as vote cast world run ran resolution on to to a Rankin,bronze in Republican a – 1917 safe yes near Missoula, Montana in Photo source:Photo Architect December or for , for – saying no Carmel, California democracy war statue . given vote Rankin . Mail in by by 1941 in debate Terry of the the of the Montana had to refuses declaring Mimnaugh her Capitol question worked on office 1985. the to , The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917

Quoted in “Women We Celebrate: .” http://nationalwomansparty.org/womenwecelebrate/harriot-stanton-blatch/ Accessed November 2, 2016. By Harris &Ewing, Photographer (NARA record: 1123803) - U.S. Nat U.S. - 1123803) record: (NARA Photographer &Ewing, Harris By h e ehdwudke otne teto nteiseo oe’ suffr White women’s of the “ picketed issue to the ever on had act, attention one continued to keep No time would press. method the the new was of the power now the felt understood they NWP that The explained Blatch Stanton Harriot up drawn resolutions NWP the o rejected tactic Wilson new and radical died the Milholland considering Inez already when were Burns Lucy and Paul Alice got to bring to the President individually, day individually, got tobringthePresident with women to goonwith with women We have got to take a new departure. It rests We havegottotakeanewdeparture. Harris Harris & W. Ewing,(1917) The NWPPicketstheWhiteHouse by day,weekinandw great numbersofwomenwanttobefree! ionalArchivesand Records Administration, PublicDomain, https [Pennsylvania on th [Pennsylvania e Picket e Picket ie-1917] Line-- ://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16604056 . [Image] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.l Congress, of Library the from Retrieved [Image] . A NewDeparture: oc.gov/item/mnwp000212/. eek out,the fact that otne opce h ht os and House but White unladylike, the wartime. during president picket only the challenge to not they as continued treasonous even as possibly and view unpatriotic to women started people World Some the First 1917. April the in entered War States picket United to continued the women after the as of changed This form and the oddity took amusing generally support. or an curiosity them were as in pickets many interest suffragist by of the viewed few kinds first Initially, President the all during months. cold was in and wet picketed quotes often weather, They for himself. source Wilson favorite A yellow a on words field. purple suffrage other displayed the while of purple, banners and tricolor them. white, for gold, the movement, speaking simply the were did holding Some that gates banners House White cloth the outside silently TheNWPpickets,the“SilentSentinels,”stood thisfight.Wehave - Harriot StantonBlatch iktn h ht House White the picketing f nhrhonor. her in aeanwdeparture.” new a take age. os eoe and before, House Arrests and Jail

In , the US entered the First World War.

The NWP continued to picket the White House, determined that women’s suffrage would not take a back seat to the war effort as it had during the Civil War.

Women then had put aside suffrage work to join the war effort, hoping to “earn” the vote that way, but were told when the war ended that it was the African‐Americans’ turn, and that women (including African American women) would have to wait. Thus the women of the NWP continued to picket the White House during this war, even putting lines from Wilson’s address asking Congress for a declaration of war on their banners.

We shall fight for the things we have always held nearest our hearts, for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own government.

The women took advantage of dignitaries’ visits and holidays when designing banners. As spring turned to summer, crowds drawn by the pickets started to become hostile. Occasionally men or boys would shout at the pickets or rip the banners from their hands. p000228/Accessed 9 February 2017. rary of Congress, Washington, D.C. https://www.loc.gov/item/mnw Records of the National Woman's Party, Manuscript Division, Lib

Arrest of White House pickets Catherine Flanagan of Hartford, Connecticut (left), and Madeleine Watson of (right). .

In late June, Wilson and the government had had enough of the protesters, and the press attention they drew, and the first arrests of the pickets took place. Charged with “obstructing traffic” on Pennsylvania Avenue, the first women arrested were then dismissed.

The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Women’s The When they continued to picket, suffragists were tried and sentenced to $25 fines or 3 days in jail. They went to jail, saying, “To pay a fine would be an admission of guilt. We are innocent”.* Suffragists continued to picket, be arrested, tried, and sent to jail. Frequently the same women returned to the picket line after being released from jail.

Several women were arrested on July 4th, holding banners that quoted the Declaration of Independence:

Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed

* , p. 77 The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Founder, Women’s Rights Activist Harriot Stanton Retrieved from the Library the of from Congress,Retrieved https://www.loc.gov/item/96509180/. Equality League of Equality League Blatch Self - Supporting NWP announced responsible, As 1916 The group Women, established movement , She launched town own suffrage Stanton, Harriot a Women’s , right married supporter in and where held Stanton early Women movement, one . later in Died Died November 20, 1940 where Blatch . She the the 1848 After Born January 20, 1856 1917 the the she an of Political first called Blatch of was plan she . became the Englishman returning . Blatch women’s the Equality suffrage called who born for was founders the tactic was Union picketing graduated became a in exposed Women’s the for leader parades to of rights League Seneca joined and daughter New holding of a in the a the “new – from to movement – spent in suffrage the York that Political Greenwich, Connecticut Falls, Seneca Falls, New York White of American the the the Woman’s of Vassar group departure” in US Self many British Elizabeth party New House 1902 leader . Union - Supporting as had 1878 York, women’s in years , suffrage Party well Blatch power . to in Cady . been This and . her the the in in The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Source Women’s Rights Activist Carrie ChapmanCatt : Prints and PhotographsDivision,Library Congress.of – Founder, League ofWomen Voters women the World Catt and ladylike nicknamed were from achieve As provided In NAWSA there unsuccessful Catt 1920 Suffrage twice international, Carrie 1915 President war other , led worked state very when War as in Chapman , . in lobbying, the national effort Association, it after lobbyists 1915 their president different with action I NAWSA the and suffrage Died Died , 1947 of for suffrage referendum , many fight as much NAWSA, “Front encouraged before both suffrage Catt in to Born January 9, 1859 well, of from for became stark of the movement years needed from the was work suffrage voting Door realizing the Catt the federal returning day contrast campaign for 1900 involved of the NWP starting National . devised Lobby” rights NAWSA organization women, stagnation and League in to amendment – that ; to New Rochelle, New York New . NAWSA’s 1904 to both the for in in the due members this American refocusing the national, – 1890 York, of women’s and “Winning war Ripon, Wisconsin Ripon, the and in to Women would presidency . . NAWSA, women from NWP their effort including Their leadership She to Women’s and help suffrage NAWSA Plan” support 1915 Voters proper, pickets served during tactics were later she the an to to of . . The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Women’s Rights Activist Alice Paul Harris & & Ewing, c. Sept . 3, 1920. Source: LibraryCongress,of Prints & & PhotographsDivision – Co - Founder, National Woman’s Party worked work After to suffered American While which Congressional Congressional Paul day of Congressional their Alice University When force suffrage 1907 the Swarthmore Alice prove 5 radical , before 000 the Paul fed Born January 11, 1885 Paul suffrage to by pioneered she imprisoned and for activities, force . that 1910 women 19 of suffrage proposing and this Wilson’s was returned British th Pennsylvania College she Burns feedings Amendment to Lucy amendment Committee, work Committee, Union, a was the in study went suffrage New in prisoners first Washington, Burns, to Died Died July 9, 1977 in strategy insane in late the . originally the . on Jersey later 1905 The inauguration the While . a 1917 Equal movement US, for by was who . but – authorities hunger as the to US, Mount Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey of the organizing Quaker , there, she passed, had go a soon picketing Paul DC, National Rights rest social as worked on strike earned in met while of which leaders she formed was – attempted, March who a Moorestown, Moorestown, New Jersey her Paul worker in hunger Amendment in a the was Women’s England, in one a suffrage prison, graduated life for took 1913 continued PhD England White the of . . arrested of She strike but place NAWSA’s NAWSA’s . separate from and the House parade started . joined failed, Party, from from She was and first her the the for . The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Harris & Ewing, photographer.(1913) Women’s Rights Activist Lucy Burns BURNS, MISS LUCY. OF C.U.W.S . [Image] Retrievedfrom the LibraryCongress,of https://www.loc.gov/item/hec2008002755/. – Co - Founder, National Woman’s Party activism After also prisoners the jailed was leader prisoners was speaking strategy Party Burns 1916 Burns Washington, organized Burns strikes suffragist after movement In went Lucy England most been one on one to passage Burns they six along also was of while returned “hold . to work, of times, the tours, force jailed time . to activities of study the a were led She the in was with DC, group she founder the ask the jail 1913 Burns of campaigns in first four fed and on Died Died December 22, 1966 to met at party the a both Alice in prison for leaders the got Yale the the 1902 during subjected two times England there became suffrage Alice day and spent status 19 in Born July Born July 28, 1879 picket Paul involved arrested and US American th power . before in graduate in leader Paul against of their Burns . amendment, in Britain the . much the as While lines, parade to the 1912 responsible in hunger Wilson’s US the suffrage political for in of suffragists . a . first Democrats participated of of and . . Paul the Night the their She which She her Vassar group in strikes National first did prisoner – – she prisoners militant was time the of . and participation , New York Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New Brooklyn, York ” took police arrested, Terror inauguration much College jail in . retired of among leading Burns in Alice 1914 Woman’s cell place to suffrage suffrage . hunger station and of Burns serve . from Paul She was had and and the the on in in a . The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917

Stadler Photographing Co., New York-Chicago - This image is available from the Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mnwp.274005. Multi - Millionaire Socialite – Women’s Rights Activist served board suffrage Belmont when and British Belmont participated national Prior picketing including striking Mrs Equality their especially movement, Vanderbilt husband, Perry suffragist Alva . paid Belmont Belmont to she last Belmont, of suffrage as the National garment headquarters . movement, the became brought providing in . for NWP was from to headquarters, In in Belmont creation her National lawyers the addition suffrage detained was was movement, president who died fifties Monument National Emmaline workers interested bail one a . she and of donated who wealthy Woman’s after She for parades to at money the of was from Born January 17, 1853 playing Ellis both NAWSA to today helped Woman’s the was her . NWP in Died Died January 26, 1933 the Pankhurst, in divorced 1921 Island socialite for large wealthy New in second donated Party born the US in New an strikers the get in until . 1916 for more amounts active Party, York for New Alva York Mrs Belmont in husband, who a women she to , many leader speaking who 1895 . she . York militant City Smith and role Pankhurst including died became were , of - helped years Paul who – was in of served City in in Oliver Mobile, Mobile, Alabama money and tour the 1933 side – the arrested 1909 . . supported William , an Women’s funds She She fund released suffrage her in Hazard militant . on of - active 1913 1910 to then also first the the the for for K it, , , . The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 pickets This arguing ladies were Antisuffragists the gentler Some in The reported members To also considered Although turned over to the workhouse valued jewelryworkhouse authorities the to turned over ballot box once a year than they are likely to lose standing in foundries laundries foundries or in standing likely lose are to they than year a once box ballot costly pieces, including including a ten pieces, costly pickets hundred the dollars inmoney, several“Besides because of the heat. Yet the Senator says nothing about these women losing losing their these women nothing about says the Senator Yet the heat. of because at approximately $50,000 dollars. Several of the more of dollars. Several$50,000 approximately at 2017 owned by Mrs. John John Winters Mrs.owned by hours in the terrible steam and heat with their hands in hot starch. Surely these Surelywith and heattheirhands in hot starch. in steamhours the terrible “We have women working in the foundries, stripped to the waist, if you please, waist, ifyou the to stripped foundries, working inthe women have “We charm […] Women in the laundries, for instance, stand for thirteen or fourteen or fourteen thirteen standfor instance, laundries, for the Women in […] charm women won’t lose any more of their beauty and charm by putting a ballot in a ballot a putting by charmand their beauty of more any lose women won’t were taken to Washington by Supt. Whittaker and Whittaker Supt. by Washington to weretaken counter White $ been was proper 50 would suffragists . . sex , In that 000 of an picketing deposited in a safety box in a bank.” a box in depositedsafety in a of considered House 1912 . these the ” by argument involvement the use in ladies They tried sixteen many , jewelry Rose NWP their views, while tried pointed . had to The to unladylike Schneiderman votes suffragists that argue never to would men’s been be suffragists liquor in take out the un politics, to used on fought - be militancy ladylike promote antisuffragists advantage that - . lobby thousand both in worth Brannan Brannan Suffragists andLadies Suffragists were in the their all year round.” all year even had back the . was sides first Over close prohibition careful was labor “militant” challenged - just of dollar necklace strongly when of New York,of group of the taking stereotypes had to as movement, about the $ years arrested 1 voters, sentenced used . , 000 behavior question At against the this how the of , for 000 form argument would of the same no they years, or women’s women, to of of took suffrage Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000010/. one attacked the dressed make whether World time, and had workhouse the with such not suffrage, antisuffragists women movement, ever War : form . and The suffrage just as I picketed . behaved of Washington : against too being picketing afraid women many manly were Source: DorisJailed(Newfor Stevens,Freedom York: sentenced Again President Occoquan 1917 branch and member counselor founder City, Mrs the . “the the the Unlike . White . , of state was John Evening . and arrested the and She Retrieved from the Library the of from Congress,Retrieved https://www.loc.gov/item/2002698238/. of the the Wilson chairman to to Winters House sentenced editor the suffragists’ was 45 Workhouse Abraham daughter British days Star NWP picketing arrested after of Brannan, before, of . the of suffragettes, executive Boni the Lincoln of to serving . New July and picketing activities Charles 60 Nov Liveright New Pardoned York and of . days . , 1920), 1920), , 355 19 three She York committee New 10 , Sun, A it July , 1917 . - 56. in was was had Dana, 1917 the days NWP York and the 14 by a , , . The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Source: American Historical Newspapers Jeannette Rankin – First WomanElectedtoCongress First Jeannette Rankin– This article was published by the waspublished by This article is oa nNtoa eiltv oyBt2 er Old Years 28 But Body Legislative National in Woman First Mien SUFFRAGE of FOR STATE Gentle HER WON and Girlish Montana of Rankin VASSAR Congresswoman A IS CONGRESS GIRL TO ELECTED WOMAN n lqetcnestoait n,wta,awmno uhdgiyadr parliam and adept ha dignity an much hallowed of is the woman she a in conventions, withal, national and, Rankin conversationalist, and eloquent Miss State and of dozen behavior a to the delegate in impertinence unethical captivatin swe or and or sister confidence own calm appeal. his public the of in manner about or for masculine speeches wish or could obtrusive one forcef raucous, as of method mien and of appearance manner, gentle as and deportment atyashsbe osiuu ntecucl n eosrtoso h n the of demonstrations and in councils figure the national in a conspicuous been into has grew foll years immediately which past Rankin election referendum Miss the States. in suffrage and of sena tickets, both assembly on placed chamber. joint suffrage Senate the in of out where her laughed Legislature, and appeal State suf her State of Montana travesty the p the efforts persistent her of her Through assemblies organization. and the of orator committee an national b as his power and her West. Cornell the where over of all Missoula, attention graduate Univer of a the of town is school mountain law He the of Montana. and Vassar in of home graduate a their 28—is is made younger—she Mont and seem at election ago affairs Her the years term. next in the power in Congress a of years House seven Lower the last in the represent for been has Legislature, Jeannette sent this cardto Montana voters in 1916. h ohsiae n oiia[y iemmeso h etCnrs wil Congress next the of members wise political[ly] and sophisticated The gray-eyed comely girlish, slender, a is congresswoman American first The a rmdsorgd h hncommen then she discouraged, from Far chose was and State own her in movement p suffrage the the in up enlisted took quickly Rankin She Miss State, Treasure the of University the leaving 30 Upon yet is whom of neither Rankin, Wellington J. brother, her w and first Rankin Miss the and law at attorney spinster, Rankin, Jeannette Congresswoman Journal lbtqitutrnermn n o one remind utterance quiet but ul e apinaogvtr falpar all of voters among campaign a ced Observer This notice was published bythe publishedThis notice was (Boston, ) on Nov. 10, 1916 (Boston, Massachusetts)10, Nov. on (Charlotte, )(Charlotte,1916 Nov. 12,on wdMnaawssetit h ranks the into swept was Montana owed rg usinwsbogtbfr two before brought was question frage r scholarship. are toa organization. ational h far fwmn n o h two the for and women, of affairs the nain heddbtr logical a debater, shrewd a entarian, ad dm,frteei nothing is there for Adams, Maude f ainlt fJanteRankin’s Jeannette of rationality g assured. s n,wihSaesepoal will probably she State which ana, idn alaetr gaucheries parliamentary no find l osadrpeettvsmd a made representatives and tors l fCnrs.Sehsbe a been has She Congress. of lls iyo otn tMissoula. at Montana of sity on oa,a eiieof feminine as woman, young er l,wn etaot10 about West went old, years mneetdt h national the to elected oman orpeetMnaai the in Montana represent to n riiaini oiiswon politics in articipation ter.O h otu her rostrum the On etheart. ist aeteqeto of question the have to ties atc flwi h little the in law of ractice ilatsse,toyears two sister, rilliant Charlotte

The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917

1914‐1918. Records of the National Woman's Party, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

e okCt ruh e otedtriaint ontefgtfor fight the join to determination in the work liberty‐‐Suffrage.” to social political her woman's of years brought Five City France. York in Civil New fighting the is in brother her grandfather and her War, Revolution, her the Party, in Woman's died great‐grandfather National Organizer, State Stuyvesant, “Elizabeth https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000224/ Accessed 10 February 10, 2017. Elizabeth Stuyvesant, who fought Riots continued on the 15 ietelae fwrieeeyGray pe hm codn oDrsSt Doris to According them. upset headquarters: Germany, bann nearby enemy their their wartime away of ripped and leader women the the like attacked servicemen, them of many Men, pt hspitplc a nywthd fe h ultwsfrd hycl they fired, ban was their bullet House, the White the After police. to the watched. return from to protection only attempted had pickets the police when However, point this to Up Kaiser Wilson. Haveyouforgotten how yousympat iktn continued. Picketing days. public three the just that of after release dreadful women and pardoning so the to was led outcry women the of were prostitutes. alongside suffragists imprisoned “humiliation,” sewing. inmates as additional such Female jobs where given worked. farm usually were a inmates was male prison the the of part large A Occoquan River. Occoquan Fairfax the the in along built Virginia, County, at jail DC new served fairly a Workhouse, be to sentences, hsra h anr ftepcesarrested 14 pickets July the on of banners the read Thus railing of the balcony by two other sailors […] The climax came […] and tore down all banners and “… three sailors leaned a ladder one of the heavy glass windows o th atleDy h eevd6 day 60 received who Day, Bastille , A month later, riots broke out after the women brought out a ne Riots andtheWorkhouse for women’s right to vote. “Liberty, Equality,Fraternity” 20,000,000 self-governed. not American womenare th and 16 Take thebeamout of yourowneye. Treatment th against […] our building, clim san As when the women attempted to picket. the American flag […] Lucy Bu re,adsnecdt 0dy nteWrhue oeo h men the of arrested. were None women Workhouse. the the attacked in and rioted days who 30 to sentenced and tried, nte17 the On the on riots the in participated police 16 Stevens, Doris to According continued: […] Hands were bruised and arms twisted by police officers not self-governed? frenzied attempt to tear off her suffrage sash […] Elizabeth Stuyvesant was struck and her blouse torn from her body “Alice Paul was knocked down three times by a sailor and f the second floor, embedding i th lot10bneswr etoe nte16 the on destroyed were banners 150 Almost . dragged the width of the White House sidewalk in his newo newo,W 11)Retrieved from the Library of C Underwood & Underwood, W. (1917) th hr a oro,btsxwmnpceeswr arrested, were picketers women six but riot, no was there hized with the poor Germans because they were poor Germans because hized withthe and plainclothes men.” […] when a bullet was fired through bed up to the second floor balcony rns was nearly dragged over the vn,atrtepcesrtetdto retreated pickets the after evens, eswr gi etoe,wt no with destroyed, again were ners ae h rw rmtestreet. the from crowd the eared ongress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000237/. r.CligtePeietaKaiser, a President the Calling ers. tself in the ceiling.” . w banner: Negro Women Prostitutes Were Brought to Alternating SuffrageWith Prisoners, 1917 This Sleeping Room and Placed in Beds Beds Placed in and Sleeping This Room th ln.Stevens alone. . Political Prisoners

Arrests of pickets continued into the fall, with sentences eventually reaching six or seven months in the Workhouse for “obstructing traffic,” but the NWP refused to give up. em/mnwp000224/ Accessed 10 February 10, 2017. The women believed they were being arrested not for “obstructing traffic” but for their beliefs. In the fall, a group imprisoned at the Workhouse, led by Peggy Baird Johns and Lucy Burns, decided to demand political prisoner status because they had been arrested for their political views.The

government refused to treat them as political prisoners. n, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. https://www.loc.gov/it

In October, Congress adjourned. Alice Paul took this opportunity to join the picket lines herself.

Arrested and sentenced to seven months in the

District Jail, Paul and the other prisoners continued 1917. Records of the National Woman's Party, Manuscript Divisio Lucy Branham protests the political the campaign for political prisoner status. imprisonment of Alice Paul with "Russia" banner.

A few weeks into their sentences, Paul and Rose Winslow were taken to the jail hospital, where they started hunger strikes.Bothwereforce fed, a gruesome and dangerous exercise. Alice Paul was sent to the psychiatric ward where the authorities tried to have her declared insane.

In November, Burns, out of prison again, led 33 pickets to protest Alice Paul’s treatment. Arrested, tried, and sent to the Workhouse, when they arrived on November 14th they were met with the infamous “Night of Terror.” Superintendent Raymond Whittaker of the Occoquan Workhouse had his guardstreatthewomen brutally in an attempt to teach them a lesson. • Women were beaten and manhandled into cells. • Lucy Burns was left all night with her wrists handcuffed to her cell door above her head. • They were refused treatment for their injuries, even when they feared one suffragist had had a heart attack. • This group also joined the hunger strike started by Alice Paul and Rose Winslow in the District Jail. After the Night of Terror, it took three days for word of the horrors to reach the outside world. Finally, the NWP had a writ of habeas corpus filed, forcing the authorities to produce the prisoners in federal court and explain why, although sentenced to serve their terms in the District Jail, they had been sent to Occoquan.

Kate Heffelfinger after her release from Occoquan Workhouse

Lucy Burns in Occoquan Workhouse m/mnwp000298/. oc.gov/item/hec2008006995/. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/ite The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 Women’s The

In court in Alexandria on November 23rd, after the rough treatment and their hunger strike, the women created a spectacle, some so weaktheyhadtolaydownevenincourt. The judge ordered that the

women’s sentences should be served in the District. The government . [Image] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.l had been embarrassed by the press attention and poor condition of the women when they appeared in court, and the transfer of the women back to the District Jail meant that they now faced force feeding 30 women in one jail. BURNS, MISS LUCY, OF C.U.W.S. IN JAIL

The prisoners were returned to DC, and all the suffragists were released a few days later. The release of the women in late November of 1917 ended the of 1917, but the fight would continue until ratification of the women’s suffrage Harris & Ewing, photographer. (1917) amendment three years later. The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917

Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2001704302/. Pre‐election parade for suffrage in NYC, Oct. 23, 1915, in whic nrneit ol a .NWAwudcniu t inn lnadteNWP the implementati and Plan the ratified. Winning was picketing, its Amendment continue of the would until NAWSA start I. the War World with into entrance women American for suffrage lhuhteaedetwsntratifie not was amendment the Although an effort war the w to vital continuing were while women effort that argument citizens. war powerful the the make support to to them members NAWSA encouraged Catt elections. all N in and vote suffrage the primary women enacted Nebra Arkansas Indiana, women. Ohio, thei for Dakota, suffrage of North presidential coordination in legislatures the 1917, through In act Plan. to Winning Congress on pressure brought NAWSA wi deal to NWP. first the at to unwilling compared some been choice have alienated attractive might an also who picketing politicians “unladylike” time, vo The same the the I. women War denying World in government in the democracy” of hypocrisy the ear illustrated NWP also The pickets the of treatment brutal and arrests a The suffrage. action, war. women’s p that take a so of to attention, press middle government brought the arrests the and picketing forced The pickets wanted. women Party Women’s National The pred had Catt than earlier much combined 1920, efforts Plan. August Winning their the in However, place them. took support which to Amendment, seen be she lest pickets, NAWSAmadesuretodistanceitselffromthepickets,andCattneverspokeou On 1917. December in consideration notntl h eaewudntvt ntemte o eea ots a months, several for matter the on vote other not would seven Senate P the in Unfortunately Winning suffrage the partial of and star results State picketing early York after the New day movement. but in the events, achieved to year these was one suffrage for extra, credit vote sole one claimed with it passed House mnmn r tl eae oa,btb h n f11 ohefrswr s pa were efforts eventual Already both the 1917 in of Plan end the Winning by NAWSA’s but of today, debated and still picketing are NWP Amendment the of roles The There wasnocoordination aur ,11,PeietWilson President 1918, 9, January ne osdrto yteSnt nlt 1917 late in Senate the by consideration under The NAWSA lobbied an Was PicketingSuccessful? d organized parades organized d h 20,000 women marched ulclyspotdteamendment the supported publically ni uut12,teya 97sa 1917 year the 1920, August until d between NAWSAandtheNWP ,the Harris & Ewing, photographer. Retrieved from the Library of Con NWP picket parade in 1917 ufaeaedetwssn oteHouse the to sent was amendment suffrage k,Mcia,adRoeIln l enacted all Island Rhode and Michigan, ska, wYr tt asdarfrnu giving referendum a passed State York ew haysfrgsscm oseNWAas NAWSA see to came suffragists any th ol ol o ogtteise vnin even issue, the forget not could eople obigaottepsaeo h 19 the of passage the about bring to dwe hyddvt tddntpass. not did it vote did they when nd omro oeta upres u at but supporters, potential or former eea tp oadtewnigof winning the toward steps several w ebr ainietruhCatt’s through nationwide members r no h inn ln n h US the and Plan, Winning the of on e ulcsmah n upr for support and sympathy public ned oigresults. howing ewie“a[n]tewrdsf for safe world the “mak[ing] while te The NWP organized pickets organized NWP The forthefirsttime.Thenextdaythe gis h as ramn fthe of treatment harsh the against t a lopae oe n11 full 1917 in role: a played also lan e tteWieHue h NWP The House. White the at ted tog o lasteato the action the always not lthough gress, https://www.loc.gov/item/hec ce n11 hnfrtproposing first when 1916 in icted hsdsrigo h oea full as vote the of deserving thus d tts digmmnu othe to momentum adding states, otnetcissc spicketing as such tactics continue t hi ufaewr,enabling work, suffrage their ith sg n aiiaino h 19 the of ratification and ssage 2008007307/. for th th Prison Conditions The suffragists were appalled at the conditions in the District Jail and at the Occoquan Workhouse. The prisons were rat infested and sometimes had only an open bucket for a toilet. There was also a complete lack of privacy from male guards. Allowed little contact with the outside world, they smuggled notes out to reveal the real conditions. , author of Jailed for Freedom, explained that “It was hard to resist digressing into some form of prison reform, as that way lay our instincts, but our reason told us that we must first change the status of women.” Stories of their treatment led to an investigation of workhouse conditions. The quotes below are from Jailed for Freedom.

“The beans, hominy, rice, cornmeal, and cereal have all had worms in them. Sometimes the worms float on top of the soup. Often they are found in the cornbread. The first suffragists sent the worms to Whittaker on a spoon.

Prisoners are punished by being put on bread and water…” – Testimony from a prison matron.

“[…] at the end of the first week of detention they became so weak from the shockingly bad food that they began to wonder if they could endure a diet of sour bread, half-cooked vegetables, and rancid soup

Movement1917 in with worms in it.” – Stevens. Prison food was so bad that some women, including Alice Paul, became so weak they were admitted to the prison hospitals.

“[…] Each prisoner stepped to the desk to get her number, to give up all jewelry, money, handbags, letters, eye glasses, traveling bags containing toilet necessities [...]” – Stevens

Rights Rights “The outer garments consisted of a bulky mother-hubbard wrapper of bluish gray ticking and a heavy apron of the same dismal stuff. The thick unbleached muslin undergarments were of designs never to be forgotten. As were the thick stockings and forlorn shoes. What torture to put on shoes that are alike for each foot and made to fit any size.” - Stevens

“We asked again and again to be given our toothbrushes, combs, handkerchiefs and soap […] We pleaded also for toilet paper.” - Stevens

Women’s Women’s “The blankets now being used in the prison have been in use since December without being washed or cleaned. Blankets are washed once a year. Officers are warned not to touch any of the bedding. The one officer who handles it is compelled by the regulations to wear rubber gloves while she does so…” -

The The Testimony from a prison matron. The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917 before her Prisoners described Hunger Seventy protesting The upon my knees, which seemed to break under the weight. Dr. Gannon then forced the tube through through the tube forced then Gannon Dr. theweight. under breakwhich to seemed knees, my upon They were perfectly dark. Punishment cells is what they call them. Mine was Mine call them. what they cellsis dark.Punishment perfectly were They “ […] The The “ […] the door and told us not to dare to speak, or he would put the brace and bit in our mouths and and the mouths in our bit and brace he would put the or speak,to dare to told us not and the door was dead […] We were crying over her […] when her […] over crying wereWe […] was dead “ […] my lips and down my throat, I gasping and suffocating with the agony of it. I didn’t know I to it. whereof agony with the and suffocating gasping I throat, and down lips my my save a slip at the top and no furniture but an iron bed covered with a thin straw pad, and an open an and pad, straw thin with a coveredbed iron but an no furniture and the top at a slip save “ We “… I was seized and laid on my back, where five people held me, a young colored womanleaping young a held me, peoplefive where back, my laidon was seizedand I nose “Night The Night of Terror and Hunger Strikes Terror andHunger The Nightof she Mrs. Lewis was literally thrown in [to the cell]. Her head struck the iron bed. We thought she thought We bed.the iron struck head the cell].Her literallythrown in[to Lewis was Mrs. - striking three because they lifted her up and banged her down over the arm of an iron bench iron an of the arm down overher bangedand her up lifted they were rushed into a large room that opened on a large hall with stone cells on each side. each cellson hall withstone large on a opened that room large into a rushed were often her the two men handling [] were twisting her arms above her head. Then head. Then suddenly her above armstwisting her were Day] handling [Dorothy two men was of breathe from and everything turned black when the turned black everythingand from breathe experience treatment year Terror” weak vomited suffragists straitjacket on our bodies […] Mrs. Lewis Mrs. bodies[…]on our straitjacket she old enough took suffragist refused of during in Alice place were Jailed for toilet flushed from outside outside the from toilet flushed to the Paul Mrs prison subjected in for open procedure . November arrived Mary Freedom officials her Nolan to at mouth . the being as Lucy to 1917 was well be [Workhouse Superintendent] [Workhouse Occoquan . At , Burns able force quoted : when one to […] was fed point suffragists force cell … in Workhouse was only stunned was only fluid against Jailed force she feed began pouring in.” pouring began went fed for her who their . Freedom with . filthy. filthy. 19 had will the days – Whittaker came to came Whittaker .” . twice … been It had no window window no It had Mrs : tube without . arrested Dora shoved eating Lewis for up The Women’s Rights Movement in 1917

Harris & Ewing, photographer.. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/hec2008007303/. capital Luther way 97 women appeals requested arrests, The States They DC. in Washington, protesters The women women of the NWP set important precedents for civil disobedience, nonviolent resistance, and future resistance, nonviolent civil disobedience, for precedents set important NWP the women of women for were . to King, 1917 for court future convictions, claim WomanPicketSuffrage Parade also had appeals picketing also Jr ruled . , the protesters, all the to questioned status legally been . that first On and and the prisoners illegal of protest March the such imprisonment, political 1917 the Civil Rights Legacy Civil Rights . imprisonment This legality in as arrests 4 in , the prisoners the Dr paved 1918 . nation’s of United of Martin , their and 218 the an . of other not arrested Unlike during resistance House, They fight not violent the the but back and only Civil long British also Suffrage tactics destroyed when pioneered Rights used before . Prisoners Leaving D.C.LeavingPrisoners suffragettes arrested Movement civil property, the these disobedience or tactic attacked tactics who of of the the Prison picketing fought 1950 NWP became by and mobs, s back women and nonviolent the famous 1960 or White when use did s .

Harris & Ewing, W. (1917) Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000232/. Bibliography

• http://memory.loc.gov/ammem//collections/suffrage/nwp/profiles3.html

• http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=59573

• Stevens, Doris. Jailed for Freedom: American Women Win the Vote. Edited by Carol O'Hare. Troutdale, Or.: New Sage Press, 1995.

• Spruill Wheeler, Marjorie Spruill, ed. One Woman, One Vote: Rediscovering the Woman Suffrage Movement. Troutdale, OR: NewSage Press, 1995.

• Bausum, Ann. With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Movement in 1917 Vote. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2004.

• Frost-Knappman, Elizabeth, and Kathryn Cullen-DuPont. Women's Suffrage in America: An Eyewitness History, Updated Edition. New York: Facts on File, 2005.

• "Women We Celebrate: Inez Milholland Boissevain." National Womans Party. Rights Accessed November 08, 2016. http://nationalwomansparty.org/womenwecelebrate/inez-boissevain/.

• “Women We Celebrate: Harriot Stanton Blatch.” National Womans Party. Accessed November 2, 2016. http://nationalwomansparty.org/womenwecelebrate/harriot-stanton- blatch/.

• Various Evening Star articles

Women’s Women’s The The