Suffragists Picket White House
7/1917
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The original caption for this photograph reads: Suffragists picket White House. Banner posted in front of the White House, Washington, District of Columbia, by the National Womans Party. Two of the pickets are here holding it.
Frustrated with President Woodrow Wilson’s inaction on woman suffrage, the National Woman’s Party picketed the White House. The protesters used banners like this to convey their message and demonstrated for nearly 30 months until Congress passed a joint resolution proposing a 19th amendment on June 4, 1919.
This banner addresses Elihu Root, President Wilson's envoy to Russia. Wilson had sent Root to Russia to try to establish an alliance after the March revolution had ousted Russian Tsar Nicholas II. It reads:
TO ENVOY ROOT
You say that America must throw its manhood to the support of Liberty. Whose Liberty?
This nation is not free. 20.000.000 women are denied by the President of the United States the right to representation in their own government.
Tell the President that he cannot fight against Liberty at home while he tells us to fight for Liberty abroad.
Tell him to make America safe for democracy before he asks the mothers of America to throw their sons to the support of democracy in Europe.
Ask him how he can refuse Liberty to American Citizens
When he is forcing millions of American boys out of their Country to die "For Liberty."
Frustrated with President Woodrow Wilson’s inaction on woman suffrage, the National Woman’s Party picketed the White House. The protesters used banners like this to convey their message and demonstrated for nearly 30 months until Congress passed a joint resolution proposing a 19th amendment on June 4, 1919.
This banner addresses Elihu Root, President Wilson's envoy to Russia. Wilson had sent Root to Russia to try to establish an alliance after the March revolution had ousted Russian Tsar Nicholas II. It reads:
TO ENVOY ROOT
You say that America must throw its manhood to the support of Liberty. Whose Liberty?
This nation is not free. 20.000.000 women are denied by the President of the United States the right to representation in their own government.
Tell the President that he cannot fight against Liberty at home while he tells us to fight for Liberty abroad.
Tell him to make America safe for democracy before he asks the mothers of America to throw their sons to the support of democracy in Europe.
Ask him how he can refuse Liberty to American Citizens
When he is forcing millions of American boys out of their Country to die "For Liberty."
Transcript
TO ENVOY ROOTYou say that America must throw its manhood to the support of Liberty. Whose Liberty?
This nation is not free. 20.000.000 women are denied by the President of the United States the right to representation in their own government.
Tell the President that he cannot fight against Liberty at home while he tells us to fight for Liberty abroad.
Tell him to make America safe for democracy before he asks the mothers of America to throw their sons to the support of democracy in Europe.
Ask him how he can refuse Liberty to American Citizens
When he is forcing millions of American boys out of their Country to die "For Liberty."
This primary source comes from the Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs.
National Archives Identifier: 533782
Full Citation: Photograph 165-WW-(600A)18; Suffragists Picket White House. Banner Posted in Front of the White House, Washington...; 7/1917; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918; Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, Record Group 165; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/suffragists-white-house-banner, March 23, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
