A second consecutive day of victory for the “Silent Sentinels” who have been picketing along the White House fence in favor of woman suffrage! The last of the imprisoned pickets had their sentences commuted today by the same judge who had originally imposed the outrageously long prison terms on them.
Author: David M. Dismore
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.
Today in Feminist History: Alice Paul and Other Suffragists Are Freed (November 27, 1917)
Alice Paul and all other hunger-striking suffragists have been unconditionally and unexpectedly released from D.C.’s District Jail by Police Court Judge Alexander Mullowney, the same judge who had originally sentenced them.
Today in Feminist History: Suffrage Negotiations Behind the Scenes (November 26, 1917)
Even though there were no official announcements or outward signs of activity today at Washington, D.C.’s District Jail, where the suffragist prisoners are being held, there appears to be some serious negotiating going on behind the scenes.
Today in Feminist History: Suffragists Continue to Struggle in the “District Jail” (November 25, 1917)
The struggle of the imprisoned suffragists continues today in D.C.’s Washington Asylum and Jail, which most people around here simply call the “District Jail.”
Today in Feminist History: Suffragists Fight Brutal Conditions (November 24, 1917)
Another day in court for some “Silent Sentinel” suffragists who have been imprisoned for picketing along the White House fence. However, unlike many previous occasions, they were not in a courtroom to face more charges, but to make their own accusations against Occoquan Workhouse authorities for the abuses they’ve suffered since being sent there 10 days ago.
Today in Feminist History: Horrors at Occoquan Workhouse (November 23, 1917)
Everyone in Judge Edmund Waddill’s packed courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, this morning was shocked by the weak and emaciated condition of the hunger-strikers among the suffrage prisoners brought out of Occoquan Workhouse for a hearing they had requested in U.S. District Court.
Today in Feminist History: Acts of Brutality Against Suffragists (November 22, 1917)
Two major developments today regarding the suffragists imprisoned in Occoquan Workhouse.
Today in Feminist History: Imprisoned Suffragists Engage in Hunger Strikes (November 21, 1917)
The number of imprisoned suffragists being subjected to the ordeal of force-feeding has suddenly increased from two to five. Lucy Burns and Dora Lewis, leaders of the hunger strike at Occoquan Workhouse, were transferred out yesterday and sent to join Alice Paul and Rose Winslow in the hospital ward of Washington, D.C.’s District Jail, where Alice and Rose are in their fourteenth day of force-feedings.
Today in Feminist History: Opposition to the Anthony Amendment May Be Crumbling (November 20, 1917)
No word from – or about – the suffragists being held in Virginia’s Occoquan Workhouse and D.C.’s District Jail today, but plenty of action by both the National Woman’s Party and the New York State Woman Suffrage Party.
Today in Feminist History: Suffragists Continue to Hunger Strike (November 19, 1917)
Sixteen of the suffragists imprisoned in Occoquan Workhouse are continuing the hunger strike they began after arrival on the evening of the 14th. But their condition has now become so serious that according to Mary Short, who was just released today, Superintendent Whittaker has asked for permission to grant their demand to be treated as political prisoners.