Today in Feminist History: The Victory Hike

Today in Feminist History is our daily recap of the major milestones and minor advancements that shaped women’s history in the U.S.—from suffrage to Shirley Chisholm and beyond. These posts were written by, and are presented in homage to, our late staff historian and archivist, David Dismore.


February 28, 1913: It was the end of the trail and a spectacular entry into Washington, D.C., today for the suffrage pilgrims!

After 17 days of marching over mostly muddy roads between here and Newark, New Jersey—and encountering everything from snowstorms to hostile hecklers—General Rosalie Jones and her suffragist Army of the Hudson strode triumphantly into the nation’s capital this morning to a spontaneous and exuberant reception by thousands of cheering Washingtonians.

Not long after entering the city, enthusiastic crowds began following the hikers. Even the police were unable to prevent the throngs from leaving the sidewalks and flooding the streets when the marchers turned down Pennsylvania Avenue on their way to the recently opened headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Association’s Congressional Committee, at 1420 “F” Street, N.W.

Always able to overcome any obstacle in their path, the hikers changed from a line of 13 who had walked every step, followed by a line of those who had walked part way, into a column of twos with arms locked together, moving forward whenever the police could clear a small space for them to advance. Everyone wanted to salute and congratulate the pilgrims in whatever way they could, so automobile horns, whistles and shouts mixed together in a din that must certainly have been quite a change from so many days of walking the lonely roads of rural New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

Finally the troops reached suffrage headquarters. General Jones addressed the cheering crowd through a megaphone before the hikers dispersed for baths, changes of clothes, some rest, and numerous events in their honor. Among the listeners to General Jones’ speech was her mother. Though known to be an anti-suffragist, she smiled a number of times, and seemed to take pride in her daughter’s feat, even if not her objective. 

To make the day still better, the dispute over the letter from prominent suffragists to President-elect Wilson seems to have become somewhat defused. Yesterday, when the National Board of the National American Woman Suffrage Association suddenly told General Jones to hand over the letter she’d been carrying so that the Board members and N.A.W.S.A.’s Congressional Committee could deliver it to Wilson themselves (though the hikers could be “present” as well), the edict caused understandable shock and resentment on the part of General Jones and her troops.

But today began with a telegram which said: “Regret misunderstanding. Board with you from beginning. Delegation to present letter to consist of national officers, Congressional Committee and pilgrims, if interview with Wilson is arranged.” It was noted that the “pilgrims” were mentioned last, despite having been the ones who had actually carried the message to D.C., but at least General Jones and her loyal band of hikers are assured of being part of an audience with the incoming Chief Executive should such a meeting occur.

Jones’ attendance, of course, would require her to accompany the N.A.W.S.A. officers to the meeting, something she is not presently inclined to do after the recent and totally unexpected confrontation over the letter. However, Alice Paul, head of N.A.W.S.A.’s Congressional Committee, seems to want to restore good relations and personally praised the marchers: “We are doing all we can to entertain the women, and I can assure you that we do appreciate the wonderful walk that they have made and the great aid they have given the cause by their efforts and bravery.”

That the hikers have greatly advanced “The Cause” was the overwhelming consensus here today. For such a small number of people to get daily coverage in newspapers all around the country by doing something that was totally legal and completely non-violent is quite a feat by any standards. Though a massive parade and pageant featuring thousands of suffragists and coordinated by Alice Paul for N.A.W.S.A. three days from now will be a far larger event, the impact made by General Jones’ small army has already made it clear that these events are part of a new era in the suffrage movement.

Several generations of suffragists have worked to win the ballot, but the realization of that goal now seems only a few years in the future thanks to bolder tactics by some of the younger proponents, the emergence of newer organizations, and imaginative ideas by dedicated “Votes for Women” advocates like Rosalie Jones and her hardy band of hikers.

About

David Dismore is the archivist for the Feminist Majority Foundation. His journey from would-be weather forecaster to full-time feminist began with the powerful impression made by a photo and a few paragraphs about the suffragists in his high school history textbook; years later, he had his first encounter with NOW—in which he carefully peeked in a window before opening the door to be sure men were allowed. He was eventually active in the ERA extension campaign of 1978, embarked on a cross-country bikeathon for it in 1982 and even worked for pioneers Toni Carabillo and Judith Meuli.