It was clearly a difficult decision for the Rankin—the only woman ever to serve in Congress, and who was sworn in just four days ago. She was one of less than 12 House Members who did not vote on the first roll call. But on the second call she rose to her feet and said: “I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war.”
Tag: Today in Feminist History
Today in Feminist History: N.A.W.S.A. Looks to Future of Women’s Suffrage (March 24, 1919)
Though nothing is ever certain in politics, there do appear to be enough votes in the new Congress to pass the Susan B. Anthony Amendment by the two-thirds majority required and send it to the states for ratification by 36 of 48. Regardless of whether that final step in the ratification process takes place before next year’s Presidential election or not, the end of the struggle is in sight, so it’s definitely appropriate to begin thinking about how women’s votes can best be used after the battle to win them is over.
Today in Feminist History: Battle for Nationwide Legalization of Birth Control May Soon be Won (March 1, 1961)
Justice Stewart gave further encouragement to birth control advocates by making this observation: “That’s like telling a patient he has appendicitis and will die unless it is removed, but not allowing its removal.”
Today in Feminist History: Day Six of the Suffrage Hike (February 17, 1913)
The nine members of the suffragist Army of the Hudson continue on day six of their hike from Newark, New Jersey to Washington, D.C.
Today in Feminist History: The Progressive Woman Suffrage Union Opens Office in Manhattan (February 9, 1908)
Mrs. Boorum Wells, Executive Committee member, said: “But let not the public think too little of this movement because of its humble beginning. The beginning was made in England in even a smaller room than this. And now look at us over there! The parties are making advances to us to get our influence before they openly take up our cause. But we will make no alliances with political parties. Do men all join one party? They do not. They vote on different sides. So shall we. All we want is the right to vote. and we shall get it.”
Today in Feminist History: Ethel Byrne’s Force-feedings Continue (January 30, 1917)
Byrne has been in custody since January 22, after being convicted of violating Section 1142 of New York State’s Penal Code by furnishing information on birth control to patients at what was America’s first and only birth control clinic.
Today in Feminist History: Birth Control Advocate Ethel Byrne is Force-fed (January 27, 1917)
Byrne is currently serving a 30-day sentence for violating New York State law by distributing contraceptive information at what was America’s first—and so far only—birth control clinic, until it was raided and closed on October 26, 10 days after its opening.
Today in Feminist History: Congress, Contraception and the Comstock Act (January 18, 1934)
“Just because we favor birth control, it doesn’t follow that we are opposed to children. I dare say that, all in all, we have just as many children as our opponents.”
Today in Feminist History: General Rosalie Jones Leads “Suffrage Hike” (January 7, 1914)
Jones’ first—and totally unprecedented—”suffrage hike” left the Bronx on December 16, 1912, and arrived in Albany 12 days later. The purpose of the event was to deliver a message from prominent New York suffragists to Governor-elect William “Plain Bill” Sulzer, and then get him to formally support woman suffrage. They succeeded on both counts.
Today in Feminist History: A Chance for Women to Serve Their Country in Uniform (December 30, 1941)
Representative Edith Nourse Rogers, Republican of Massachusetts, today drafted new legislation that would give America’s women a chance to serve their country in uniform.