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Suffragist Movement
Women’s Suffrage and WWI
Women’s Suffrage and WWI
It created a shift in women’s roles and revealed the hypocrisy of those in power who claimed to be fighting to make the world safe for democracy while denying that right to half the population at home. How the “war to end all wars” helped fuel the battle for suffrage in America.
It created a shift in women’s roles and revealed the hypocrisy of those in power who claimed to be fighting to make the world safe for democracy while denying that right to half the population at home. How the “war to end all wars” helped fuel the battle for suffrage in America.
Published March 3, 2020
As four million men shipped overseas to fight, women covered jobs back home—from shop-keeping to factory work—and served as nurses on the Front. Their contribution became apparent to the public, with newspapers proclaiming, “Who dares to say that war is not a woman’s business?”
As four million men shipped overseas to fight, women covered jobs back home—from shop-keeping to factory work—and served as nurses on the Front. Their contribution became apparent to the public, with newspapers proclaiming, “Who dares to say that war is not a woman’s business?”
Meanwhile, President Woodrow Wilson gave many war-time statements about humanity and defending freedom, while still refusing the women’s vote. The irony was not lost on the suffragists, who used Wilson’s words against him by picketing the White House—the first group to ever do so. Armed with signs and banners, they protested in silence, earning the name “The Silent Sentinels.” Many Sentinels were soon harassed, abused, and imprisoned. Stories of continued abuse—including the “Night of Terror,” in which female inmates were systematically beaten—spurred public support for the women’s cause. Even so, the Sentinels’ protest lasted an astonishing two and half years.
Meanwhile, President Woodrow Wilson gave many war-time statements about humanity and defending freedom, while still refusing the women’s vote. The irony was not lost on the suffragists, who used Wilson’s words against him by picketing the White House—the first group to ever do so. Armed with signs and banners, they protested in silence, earning the name “The Silent Sentinels.” Many Sentinels were soon harassed, abused, and imprisoned. Stories of continued abuse—including the “Night of Terror,” in which female inmates were systematically beaten—spurred public support for the women’s cause. Even so, the Sentinels’ protest lasted an astonishing two and half years.
Wilson eventually changed his mind on votes for women and in a speech to the Senate in 1918 argued the 19th Amendment was “vital to the winning of the war.” It took almost another year, until June 4, 1919, for Congress to listen and pass the 19th Amendment, and send it to the states for ratification. A few weeks later, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the war formally ended.
Wilson eventually changed his mind on votes for women and in a speech to the Senate in 1918 argued the 19th Amendment was “vital to the winning of the war.” It took almost another year, until June 4, 1919, for Congress to listen and pass the 19th Amendment, and send it to the states for ratification. A few weeks later, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the war formally ended.
Women’s actions during WWI, both for war-efforts and for votes, drew attention to gender inequality and made the need for women’s right to vote more apparent than ever before.
Women’s actions during WWI, both for war-efforts and for votes, drew attention to gender inequality and made the need for women’s right to vote more apparent than ever before.