Today in Feminist History

Today in Feminist History: The National Woman’s Party’s Most Militant Tactic Yet (October 14, 1918)

True to their word, the protesters started for the Capitol today, with the American flag and their purple, white and gold National Woman’s Party banners flying. But they were stopped by a squad of Capitol police awaiting them. Their banners were seized, then Alice Paul and 14 others were arrested—in an unnecessarily rough manner—and placed in the guard-room of the Capitol. None of the detainees have been allowed to communicate with anyone, not even their lawyers, or pro-suffrage Senators, and they are being held without any charges being specified.

Today in Feminist History: The California Victory (October 13, 1911)

“We’re gloriously happy. This is the beginning of the end. The victory in California gives to the cause as many voters as in the five other States where we have previously won. Kansas, Oregon and other Western States are bound to follow the lead at the next elections. The politicians are also sure to realize that the women are winning their fight and will climb on the band wagon.”

Today in Feminist History: Suffragists Shake off California Loss and Look to Future of Amendment (October 11, 1911)

Suffragists in California, as elsewhere, have always mixed optimism with determination and practicality. It looks like another long night ahead, but at least there’s the expectation of a definitive result some time tomorrow. And despite the newspapers strewn around suffrage offices tonight with headlines such as “WOMAN SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT DEFEATED BY 5,000” and “SUFFRAGE DEFEATED BY ADVERSE VOTE IN SAN FRANCISCO,” there’s still the possibility of a stunning, come-from-behind win if those intrepid suffrage advocates who went to even the smallest and remotest towns, farms and ranches succeeded in winning their listeners to our cause.

Today in Feminist History: Suffrage Momentum is Stronger Than Ever! (October 12, 1911)

The atmosphere in the Hall today was the total opposite of what it was at various suffrage groups’ headquarters yesterday. On Wednesday, exhausted suffrage advocates were being pummeled with gloomy bulletins and headlines: “SUFFRAGE APPEARS LOST,” gloated the anti-suffrage Los Angeles Daily Times. Our workers were telling reporters of their determination to wait until the last vote was counted, then forging ahead with a 1912 campaign if necessary. But today the headlines and bulletins were quite reassuring: “SAFE MAJORITY NOW IS ASSURED FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE” was the gleeful news in the Los Angeles Express. Each new update provoked cheers as it was read to those present.

Today in Feminist History: Today We Celebrate a Closer Final Victory (October 12, 1911)

California’s victory has changed things in many ways. For instance, in next year’s Presidential election women will be a factor, as they now have full voting rights in States that cast 37 of the 266 Electoral Votes needed to constitute a majority of the total of 531. And in one of the richest ironies of the campaign, the largest city in the U.S. in which women can vote is now San Francisco.

Today in Feminist History: Tracking the Vote in California (October 10, 1911)

The offices of all suffrage groups will open at the usual time in the morning, and the latest returns will be evaluated carefully. Whether that analysis results in conceding defeat this year and planning for the 1912 campaign or giving out a victory statement will depend on the results that come in overnight. But the battle for woman suffrage in California will go on under any circumstances and for as long as it takes.

Today in Feminist History: California Prepares for Tomorrow’s Suffrage Referendum (October 9, 1911)

It has taken 15 years to give California’s male voters a second chance to enfranchise the women of the State, and because California is a very different place today than it was in 1896, the result should also be different. If suffrage is approved here tomorrow, and the number of women voters in the U.S. nearly doubles overnight, the movement will get a major boost nationwide, other big States should follow suit, and the entire country will be a much more democratic place just a few years from now than it is today. So on to tomorrow, and a sixth star for the suffrage flag!