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.
October 23, 1915: What a day for women’s suffrage!
Though the male voters of the Empire State will decide 10 days from now whether New York’s women will win the ballot this year, Fifth Avenue was certainly “Votes for Women” territory this afternoon. No matter what happens on Election Day, the most vivid and long-lasting memory any local suffragist will have of this campaign will be of the unprecedented turnout today and the flawless way in which every participant performed.
Making bold predictions of a record-breaking number of marchers for a parade is always a very risky move. A moderate-sized procession could have been described in the newspapers this evening and tomorrow morning as a “disappointing turnout,” and coming so soon before a vote, such headlines could have dimmed the chances for passage of the upcoming suffrage referendum.
But much to the relief of organizers—and all of us who favor suffrage—the optimistic forecasts were at the very least fulfilled today, and in the opinion of some, exceeded. New Yorkers saw a spectacle that will long be remembered by both participants and spectators, and which must have made a highly favorable impression on undecided voters, and even on some of our movement’s skeptics.
Yesterday, organizers announced that 47,230 people had signed pledges to march. But according to Police Inspector Myers, in charge of the traffic squads, there were 50,000 in the streets today. Chief Inspector Schmittberger estimated at least 35,000 marchers, and said the spectators numbered 250,000. Other estimates went as high as 60,000 marchers. But though anti-suffrage groups are claiming there were fewer marchers, there won’t be much time wasted quibbling over numbers, because absolutely no one doubts that this was the largest suffrage parade in history, and a truly stunning procession.
Marchers and spectators began gathering at Washington Square early in the afternoon, with each participant searching out the group they’d pledged to march with, while bystanders began buying up suffrage pennants, balloons, buttons, and anything in “suffrage yellow,” or which had the name of a suffrage organization on it. By the time the parade was about to start, the 1,500 police officers assigned to crowd control were fully occupied keeping the spectators on the sidewalks, and the street clear.
The parade kicked off right on time at 3:00, with the first group of marchers passing the Fifth Avenue and 41st Street reviewing stand in front of the Public Library at 3:40. The last of the marchers did not finish passing the dignitaries until 7:10 this evening. These undeniably large numbers left no doubt that the loss of the New Jersey suffrage referendum four days ago has only spurred our forces on to greater efforts, rather than discouraged anyone from making an all-out push to win in New York, as well as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts on November 2.
The procession was led by mounted police, followed by the New York Seventh Regiment Band, and Grand Marshal Ethel Stebbins. Not far behind them was the International Woman Suffrage Alliance, displaying banners noting that women in several other nations, such as Iceland, have won equal suffrage.
That one read: “REYKJAVIC VOTES; WHY NOT NEW YORK?”
Though many of the most memorable sights were of huge, complex, horse or automobile-drawn floats, it was the well-known and highly respected Reverend Anna Howard Shaw, marching behind the National American Woman Suffrage Association banner in her cap and gown that brought the first big round of applause.
The plucky New Jersey delegation, holding a banner that said: “NEW JERSEY: DELAYED BUT NOT DEFEATED” got even more applause. This expression of support was something they must have appreciated after having just encountered a major delay in attaining the ballot since they cannot re-submit their failed suffrage referendum until five years have passed. The suffragists of Rutherford had their own banner, taking pride in the fact that the men of their city had voted nearly two-to-one in favor of equal suffrage for women.
One of the largest groups of marchers was composed of teachers, with some delegations wearing dark suits and yellow suffrage sashes, while other contingents wore the traditional caps and gowns.
They held such banners as: “YOU TRUST US WITH THE CHILDREN; TRUST US WITH THE VOTE.”
As might be expected, the Manhattan delegation was huge and well-received by the crowd. It featured a blindfolded woman representing “JUSTICE,” bound by a rope held by three masked men dressed in black, labeled “VICE,” “IGNORANCE,” and “PREJUDICE.”
But it was an elderly woman in the delegation, carrying a placard that said: “GETTING THERE AFTER TRYING FOR FORTY YEARS” who may have gotten the biggest cheer of the day.
Young Brooklyn suffragists carried parasols inscribed: “THE SUN WILL SHINE FOR US NOVEMBER 2ND,” while some Bay Ridge activists wore white and blue costumes as they walked alongside a wagon containing two small children. The motto on the side was: “WE WANT OUR MOTHER TO VOTE.” But it was the Woman Suffrage Party that put the most children on a float – and even had Rose O’Neill herself decorate it with her famous “Kewpie” cartoons. A large “Kewpie” doll was swinging back and forth on the front as the float drove down the street.
There were floats illustrating everything from woman suffrage around the world to those showing women representing “VICTORY,” “LIBERTY,” “EQUALITY” and “JUSTICE.” Some marchers were over 70 years of age, while others as young as 7 months old were pushed in carriages or carried by a marcher. At least 2,500 men marched with the women, a number of highly skilled equestrians impressed the crowd, and so many bands played that at no time or place along the route was there ever a lack of music in the Autumn air.
Every imaginable occupational group was represented, generally with members in some costume denoting their profession, as well as a banner in front stating what their work was, in case there was any doubt. Though many suffrage groups chose to march in white, some had their own unique color combinations, with “suffrage yellow” sashes and other items a popular choice.
This was truly a great day to be a suffragist—and hopefully for some individuals in the crowd to become one. If the victory sought today is achieved on November 2, it means this perfect parade will never have to be equaled or topped at any time in the future, and will be the way the final days of the New York State suffrage campaign will be fondly remembered.
