Protestors Holding a Woman Suffrage Banner
1917 - 1918
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
Frustrated with inaction on woman suffrage, the National Woman’s Party began peacefully protesting in Washington, DC, six days a week in January 1917. They encountered hostile crowds after the United States entered World War I in April. Dozens of women were arrested, many of whom were jailed and force-fed.
The resulting publicity and public outcry over their treatment is often credited with compelling President Woodrow Wilson to support woman suffrage. The protesters demonstrated for nearly 30 months until Congress passed a joint resolution proposing a 19th amendment on June 4, 1919.
The banner in this photograph reads:
We protest against the thirty-four wilful Senators who have delayed the political freedom of American women. They have obstructed the war program of the President. They have lined up the senate with Prussia by their denial of self government to the people.
The original caption for this photograph reads: Woman suffrage in Washington, District of Columbia, Suffragette Banner.
The resulting publicity and public outcry over their treatment is often credited with compelling President Woodrow Wilson to support woman suffrage. The protesters demonstrated for nearly 30 months until Congress passed a joint resolution proposing a 19th amendment on June 4, 1919.
The banner in this photograph reads:
We protest against the thirty-four wilful Senators who have delayed the political freedom of American women. They have obstructed the war program of the President. They have lined up the senate with Prussia by their denial of self government to the people.
The original caption for this photograph reads: Woman suffrage in Washington, District of Columbia, Suffragette Banner.
Transcript
We protest against the thirty-four wilful [sic] Senators who have delayed the political freedom of American women. They have obstructed the war program of the President. They have lined up the senate with Prussia by their denial of self government to the people.This primary source comes from the Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs.
National Archives Identifier: 533777
Full Citation: Photograph 165-WW-(600A)13; Woman Suffrage in Washington, District of Columbia, Suffragette Banner; 1917 - 1918; 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/woman-suffrage-dc, December 10, 2024]Activities that use this document
- The Amendment Process: Ratifying the 19th Amendment
Created by the National Archives Education Team
Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
