TheNineteenthAmendment
Overview
StudentswillexaminetheadvocacyofwomensuffragiststhatledtothepassingoftheNineteenth
Amendmentviaimages,historicaldocuments,andreadings.
Grade
8
NorthCarolinaEssentialStandardsfor8thGradeSocialStudies
• 8.H.1.2-Summarizetheliteralmeaningofhistoricaldocumentsinordertoestablishcontext.
• 8.H.1.3-Useprimaryandsecondarysourcestointerpretvarioushistoricalperspectives.
• 8.H.2.2-Summarizehowleadershipandcitizenactions(e.g.thefoundingfathers,theRegulators,the
GreensboroFour,andparticipantsoftheWilmingtonRaceRiots,1898)influencedtheoutcomeofkey
conflictsinNorthCarolinaandtheUnitedStates
• 8.H.3.3-Explainhowindividualsandgroupshaveinfluencedeconomic,politicalandsocialchangein
NorthCarolinaandtheUnitedStates.
• 8.H.3.4-Comparehistoricalandcontemporaryissuestounderstandcontinuityandchangeinthe
developmentofNorthCarolinaandtheUnitedStates.
• 8.C&G.1.4-AnalyzeaccesstodemocraticrightsandfreedomsamongvariousgroupsinNorthCarolinaand
theUnitedStates(e.g.enslavedpeople,women,wageearners,landlessfarmers,AmericanIndians,
AfricanAmericansandotherethnicgroups).
• 8.C&G.2.1-EvaluatetheeffectivenessofvariousapproachesusedtoeffectchangeinNorthCarolinaand
theUnitedStates(e.g.picketing,boycotts,sit-ins,voting,marches,holdingelectedofficeandlobbying).
• 8.C&G.2.2-Analyzeissuespursuedthroughactivecitizencampaignsforchange(e.g.votingrightsand
accesstoeducation,housingandemployment).
• 8.C&G.2.3-ExplaintheimpactofhumanandcivilrightsissuesthroughoutNorthCarolinaandUnited
Stateshistory.
EssentialQuestions
• WhatisthepurposeoftheNineteenthAmendment?
• Whoweresomeofthemostprominentwomensuffragistsandwhatactionsdidtheytaketoencourage
thepassingoftheNineteenthAmendment?
• WhatwastheSenecaFallsDeclaration?
• Compareandcontrasttherolesofwomeninthe1800s-1900stotherolesofwomenintoday’ssociety.
Materials
• Internetaccess
• NineteenthAmendment,imageattached
• SenecaFallsDeclaration,handoutattached
• NPRClip:http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6738537
• RoadTripforSuffrage,storyattached
• SuffragistImageandElectionDayPoliticalCartoon,attached
• Women’sCivilRightsinNC,timelineassignmentattached
Duration
70-90minutes
1
Procedure
Warm-Up:TheYoungMenInThisClassroomAreDoingaGREATJob!
1. Asstudentsenter,havethemtaketheirseatsandbeginbrainstormingthequestion,“Whatdoyouknow
abouttheNineteenthAmendment?”Whilestudentswrite,circulatearoundtheroomandcompliment
onlymalestudentsontheirworkoutloud.Begintohandoutpiecesofcandytomalestudentsaswell,
tellingthemwhatafantasticjobtheyaredoing.Iffemalestudentsprotest,explainthatyoujustdon’t
feeltheyaredoingasgoodofajobasthemalestudentsare.Tellthemyoufeelthemalestudentsare
simplyworkingharderandcreatingbetteranswers.Continuetofavorallofthemalestudentsinthe
classroom,encouragingthemtoenjoytheircandyandtoignoreprotestsfromthefemales.
2. Afteraround5minutes,stoptheexerciseoffavoritismanddiscuss:
• Wereyoualltreatedequallyduringthewarm-uptoday?Whatseemedtodeterminewhowas
treatedwithfavoritism?
• Girls,howdidyoufeelduringthewarm-up?
• Guys,howwouldyoufeelifthetableswereturned,andyouwerebeingtreatedunfairlybecauseof
yourgender?
• Whattimesthroughouthistorycanyouthinkofwhenfemalesweretreateddifferentlythanmales,or
hadtheirrightsrestrictedbecauseoftheirgender?
IntroductiontotheNineteenthAmendment
3. Explaintostudentsthatintoday’slesson,theywillbeexaminingatimewhenwomenweretreatedvery
differently,notonlybysociety,butbythelaw.ProjecttheattachedimageoftheNineteenth
Amendment,andaskstudentstosharewhattheyalreadyknowaboutthisamendmentandalsotonote
whattheyseeintheimage.Discuss:
• WhatwasthepurposeoftheNineteenthAmendment?
• Accordingtotheimage,whenwastheNineteenthAmendmentpassedbyCongress?
• Imaginelivinginatimewhenyouwouldbeunabletovotebasedonyourraceoryourgender.What
doyouthinkthiswouldfeellike?Whydoyouthinkourgovernmentrestrictedwomenfromvoting
upuntil1920,whentheNineteenthAmendmentwasratified?
• Whatdoyouimagineittookforthe19thAmendmenttoberatified(passed)?
4. HavestudentsdothemathtofigureouthowmanyyearsithasbeensincetheNineteenthAmendmentto
theUSConstitutionwasratified;writethisaslargeaspossibleatthefrontoftheroomandremind
studentsthatthisishowmanyyearswomenhavebeenallowedtovote.Furtherexplaintostudents:
• PassedbyCongressonJune4,1919,andratifiedonAugust18,1920,themilestoneoftheNineteenth
Amendmentrequiredalengthyanddifficultstruggle;victorytookdecadesofagitationandprotest.
Between1878,whentheamendmentwasfirstintroducedinCongress,andAugust18,1920,whenit
wasratified,championsofvotingrightsforwomenworkedtirelessly,lecturing,writing,marching,
lobbying,andpracticingcivildisobediencetoachievewhatmanyAmericansconsideredaradical
change.Somepursuedastrategyofpassingsuffrageactsinwesternstates,withninestatesadopting
womansuffragelegislationby1912.Otherschallengedmale-onlyvotinglawsinthecourts.Militant
suffragistsusedtacticssuchasparades,silentvigils,andhungerstrikes.Oftensupportersmetfierce
resistance.Opponentsheckled,jailed,andsometimesphysicallyabusedthem.Source:
http://www.historicaldocuments.com/19thAmendment.htm
Discuss:
• Whydoyouthinkwomensuffragistsfoughtsohardtoachievetherighttovote?
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•
•
Compareandcontrasttheroleofwomeninthe1900stowomen’srolestoday.Howdoyouimagine
womenwereviewedandtreatedin1900ssociety?Howdoyouimagine1900societyreactedtothe
ideaofwomenvoting?
Whatdoesittaketobringaboutchangeinsociety?
SenecaFallsConvention
5. Explaintostudentsthatin1848,thefirstwomen’srightsconventiontobeheldintheUnitedStatestook
placeinSenecaFalls,NC.TheconventionwasorganizedbyLucretiaMottandElizabethCadyStanton,
twoQuakerswhoseconcernforwomen’srightswasarousedwhenMottwasdeniedaseatatan
antislaverymeetinginLondon(manywomensuffragistswerealsoabolitionists).AttheSenecaFalls
Convention240sympathizers,including40men,mettodiscussthelimitationsimposedonwomen,such
asthelackofvotingrights.Thedelegatesadoptedastatement,theSenecaFallsDeclaration,thatthey
modeledaftertheDeclarationofIndependence,aswellasaseriesofresolutionscallingforwomen’s
suffrageandthereformoflawsthatgavewomenaninferiorstatus.
6. Dividestudentsintosmallgroupsof3-4,andhandoutcopiesoftheattachedSenecaFallsDeclaration.
Instructstudentstoreadthedeclarationtogether,thendiscussandanswerthequestionsunderneath.
Oncestudentshavefinished,debriefthedocumentasagroup:
• Describethecomplaintsthatareissuedinthisdeclaration.
• Whichcomplaintsdoyoufeelaremostvalid/seriousandwhy?
• HowdoesthisdocumentcomparetotheDeclarationofIndependence?Howdothesecomplaints
resemblecomplaintsofPatriots?
• Basedonwhatyoulearnedabout1800ssocietyafterreadingthisdocument,howwouldyourlife
differifyoulivedthenratherthannow?
• Areanyofthecomplaintsoutlinedstillproblematicintoday’ssociety?Explain.
• Whyisthisdocumentrelevanttoustoday?
AContinuingFightfortheRighttoVote
7. Explaintostudentsthatwhilethisdeclarationwaswrittenin1848,littleprogresscameofitforyears.
However,womencontinuedtofightfortheirrights,oftensimultaneouslywhilefightingfortherightsof
thosewhowereenslaved.Next,projecttheattachedimageofSusanB.Anthonyandaskstudentsifthey
knowwhotheimageis,andiftheycanshareanythingaboutthiswoman.Afterstudentsshare,playthe
followingclipfromNPRdescribingSusanB.Anthony’sarrestforillegallyvotingin1872(thisclipisalso
followedbyseveralexcellentcurrenteventconnectionstothewomen’ssuffragemovementthatyoumay
choosetosharewithstudents):http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6738537
Discuss:
• WhydidSusanB.AnthonyandhersistersgotoaRochesterbarbershopin1872?
• WhenSusanismetwithrefusaltoregisterhertovote,whatAmendmentdoesshesiteasgivingher
therighttodoso?Inwhatwaydoesthisamendmentgivehertherighttoregistertovote?
• WhywereSusanB.Anthonyand14otherwomenarrestedonElectionDay?
• WhydoyouthinkitwassoimportantforSusanB.Anthonytovote?
• Basedonthisstory,howwouldyoucharacterizeSusanB.Anthony?
• Givenwhatsomanysuffragistswentthoughtogaintherighttovoteforwomen,whatdoyoumake
ofthefactthatmanycitizenstodaydonotexercisetheirrighttovote?WhatdoyouthinkSusanB.
Anthonywouldwanttosaytowomentodaywhodon’tvote?
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•
•
What“firsts”forwomendoesthereporternoteatthebeginningofthisstory?Evaluatewhatthis
saysaboutoursociety.
DoyoufeelthatthefightSusanB.Anthonyandothersuffragistsstartedinthe1800sisovertoday?
Explain.
8. Askstudentstothinkaboutthevariouswaysthathavebeendiscussedthusfarinwhichwomenfought
fortheirrighttovote(holdingconventions,writingdeclarations,breakingthelaw,etc.)Handoutthe
attachedstoryfromTeachingTolerance(www.tolerance.org),RoadTripforSuffrage,andtellstudents
theywillbereadingaboutevenmorestepstakenbyactivecitizenswhofoughtforequality.Instruct
studentstoreadthestoryindividually,inpartnersorreadingcircles,orreadthestoryoutloud.
Afterwards,discuss:
• HowwouldyoucharacterizesuffragistslikeSaraBardField?
• WhydoyouthinkittooksomanyyearsforthepassageoftheNineteenthAmendment?
• Whatdidittaketogettherighttovoteforwomen?InwhatwaysdidField’sroadtriphelpwomen
gaintherighttovote?Whatothermeasurescontributedtothecause?
9. Projecttheattachedimageofasuffragistandaskstudents:
• Whatdoyouseeinthisimage?
• Wheredoyouthinkthispicturewastaken?
• Whatisthiswoman’spurpose?Whatevidencemakesyouthinkthis?
• Whatmessagedoestheposterinthisimageconvey?
10. ExplaintostudentsthatfedupwithPresidentWoodrowWilson’sfoot-draggingoversupportingafederal
women’ssuffrageamendment,theNWPstartedsendingpicketssuchastheonepicturedtotheWhite
Housein1916.“Forthenextyearandahalf,insnowstormsandtorrentialrain,andduringWashington’s
hot,humidsummers,theNWPpicketsprotestedinfrontoftheWhiteHouse.Atfirst,thepubliceagerly
supportedthepickets.ButaftertheUnitedStatesenteredWorldWarIinApril1917,publicsupport
turnedtohostility.Anyformofdissentagainstthegovernmentwasconsideredtreasonous.Thepolice
begantoarrestthedemonstrators,usuallyontheflimsychargeofobstructingtraffic.Judgessentenced
picketersandadministeredfines—onlyafewdollars—butthewomenalmostalwayschose
imprisonmentinstead.About168womenservedtimeinprisonswithdreadfulconditions.Thepicketers
enduredspoiled,wormyfood,filthysheetsandblankets,putridopentoiletsthatcouldbeflushedonly
fromoutsidetheircellsandthusatthewhimofguards,ratsandcockroaches,lackofventilation,and
evensolitaryconfinement.Somepicketerswentonahungerstriketoprotesttheviolationoftheirright
toseealawyerandtheirtreatmentascriminalsinsteadofpoliticalprisoners.Jailauthoritiesresortedto
forcedfeeding.FromAugusttoNovember1917,theabusivetreatmentbyprisonauthoritiesworsened.
OnenightinNovember—laterknownas"theNightofTerror"—theguardsatOccoquanWorkhouse
savagelybeatthesuffragists.Theheroicsuffragistswhochosetogotoprisonriskedlosingnotonlytheir
freedombuttheirlivesfortherighttovote.”
11. Inreview,projecttheattachedpoliticalcartoonElectionDayandhavestudentsrespondeitherinwriting
orverbally:
• Whatdoyouseeinthiscartoon?Whatseemstobehappening?
• HowdoesthiscartoonrelatetotheNineteenthAmendment?
• Howwouldyoucharacterizetheimageofthewomaninthiscartoon?
• Describethemanandhisfacialexpression.Whydoesheappearashedoes?
• Whatmessageistheartisttryingtoconvey?
AdditionalActivities
4
•
•
•
•
AssigntheattachedWomen’sCivilRightsinNCtimelineactivity
Havestudentschooseasuffragistofthe1800s-1900storesearchandthenwritehereulogy.Holda
memorialserviceinwhichstudentsdressupintimeappropriateclothingandsharetheirsuffragist
eulogies.
Havestudentsassumetheroleofasuffragistlivingintheyearsbefore1920andwriteanddelivera
speechinwhichtheyadvocateforawoman’srighttovote.
ConnectthefightofsuffragistsfortheNineteenthAmendmenttocurrentevents,suchasthecontroversy
overvotingrightsforfelons,immigrantvotingrights,andvotingrightsforAfghanwomen.
Resources
• FamousWomeninHistory:http://lkwdpl.org/wihohio/figures.htm
• TheABC’sofWomen’sHistoryMonth:http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=804and
http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?p=0&ar=804&pa=2
• NationalWomen’sHallofFame:http://www.greatwomen.org/
• SuffrageDocuments:http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/woman-suffrage/
5
NineteenthAmendment
Source:http://womenshistory.about.com/library/graphics/19amend.gif
6
SenecaFallsDeclaration
When,inthecourseofhumanevents,itbecomesnecessaryforoneportionofthefamilyofmantoassume
amongthepeopleoftheearthapositiondifferentfromthatwhichtheyhavehithertooccupied,butoneto
whichthelawsofnatureandofnature'sGodentitlethem,adecentrespecttotheopinionsofmankind
requiresthattheyshoulddeclarethecausesthatimpelthemtosuchacourse.
Weholdthesetruthstobeself-evident:thatallmenandwomenarecreatedequal;thattheyareendowedby
theirCreatorwithcertaininalienablerights;thatamongthesearelife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness;
thattosecuretheserightsgovernmentsareinstituted,derivingtheirjustpowersfromtheconsentofthe
governed.Wheneveranyformofgovernmentbecomesdestructiveoftheseends,itistherightofthosewho
sufferfromittorefuseallegiancetoit,andtoinsistupontheinstitutionofanewgovernment,layingits
foundationonsuchprinciples,andorganizingitspowersinsuchform,astothemshallseemmostlikelyto
effecttheirsafetyandhappiness.Prudence,indeed,willdictatethatgovernmentslongestablishedshouldnot
bechangedforlightandtransientcauses;andaccordinglyallexperiencehathshownthatmankindaremore
disposedtosuffer,whileevilsaresufferable,thantorightthemselvesbyabolishingtheformstowhichthey
wereaccustomed.Butwhenalongtrainofabusesandusurpations,pursuinginvariablythesameobject,
evincesadesigntoreducethemunderabsolutedespotism,itistheirdutytothrowoffsuchgovernment,and
toprovidenewguardsfortheirfuturesecurity.Suchhasbeenthepatientsufferanceofthewomenunderthis
government,andsuchisnowthenecessitywhichconstrainsthemtodemandtheequalstationtowhichthey
areentitled.
Thehistoryofmankindisahistoryofrepeatedinjuriesandusurpationsonthepartofmantowardwoman,
havingindirectobjecttheestablishmentofanabsolutetyrannyoverher.Toprovethis,letfactsbesubmitted
toacandidworld.
Hehasneverpermittedhertoexerciseherinalienablerighttotheelectivefranchise.
Hehascompelledhertosubmittolaws,intheformationofwhichshehadnovoice.
Hehaswithheldfromherrightswhicharegiventothemostignorantanddegradedmen--bothnativesand
foreigners.
Havingdeprivedherofthisfirstrightofacitizen,theelectivefranchise,therebyleavingherwithout
representationinthehallsoflegislation,hehasoppressedheronallsides.
Hehasmadeher,ifmarried,intheeyeofthelaw,civillydead.
Hehastakenfromherallrightinproperty,eventothewagessheearns.
Hehasmadeher,morally,anirresponsiblebeing,asshecancommitmanycrimeswithimpunity,provided
theybedoneinthepresenceofherhusband.Inthecovenantofmarriage,sheiscompelledtopromise
obediencetoherhusband,hebecomingtoallintentsandpurposes,hermaster--thelawgivinghimpowerto
depriveherofherliberty,andtoadministerchastisement.
Hehassoframedthelawsofdivorce,astowhatshallbethepropercauses,andincaseofseparation,to
whomtheguardianshipofthechildrenshallbegiven,astobewhollyregardlessofthehappinessofwomen-thelaw,inallcases,goinguponafalsesuppositionofthesupremacyofman,andgivingallpowerintohis
hands.
7
Afterdeprivingherofallrightsasamarriedwoman,ifsingle,andtheownerofproperty,hehastaxedherto
supportagovernmentwhichrecognizesheronlywhenherpropertycanbemadeprofitabletoit.
Hehasmonopolizednearlyalltheprofitableemployments,andfromthosesheispermittedtofollow,she
receivesbutascantyremuneration.Heclosesagainstheralltheavenuestowealthanddistinctionwhichhe
considersmosthonorabletohimself.Asateacheroftheology,medicine,orlaw,sheisnotknown.
Hehasdeniedherthefacilitiesforobtainingathorougheducation,allcollegesbeingclosedagainsther.
HeallowsherinChurch,aswellasState,butasubordinateposition,claimingApostolicauthorityforher
exclusionfromtheministry,and,withsomeexceptions,fromanypublicparticipationintheaffairsofthe
Church.
Hehascreatedafalsepublicsentimentbygivingtotheworldadifferentcodeofmoralsformenandwomen,
bywhichmoraldelinquencieswhichexcludewomenfromsociety,arenotonlytolerated,butdeemedoflittle
accountinman.
HehasusurpedtheprerogativeofJehovahhimself,claimingitashisrighttoassignforherasphereofaction,
whenthatbelongstoherconscienceandtoherGod.
Hehasendeavored,ineverywaythathecould,todestroyherconfidenceinherownpowers,tolessenher
self-respect,andtomakeherwillingtoleadadependentandabjectlife.
Now,inviewofthisentiredisfranchisementofone-halfthepeopleofthiscountry,theirsocialandreligious
degradation--inviewoftheunjustlawsabovementioned,andbecausewomendofeelthemselvesaggrieved,
oppressed,andfraudulentlydeprivedoftheirmostsacredrights,weinsistthattheyhaveimmediate
admissiontoalltherightsandprivilegeswhichbelongtothemascitizensoftheUnitedStates.
Inenteringuponthegreatworkbeforeus,weanticipatenosmallamountofmisconception,
misrepresentation,andridicule;butweshalluseeveryinstrumentalitywithinourpowertoeffectourobject.
Weshallemployagents,circulatetracts,petitiontheStateandNationallegislatures,andendeavortoenlist
thepulpitandthepressinourbehalf.WehopethisConventionwillbefollowedbyaseriesofConventions
embracingeverypartofthecountry.
Source:E.C.Stanton,S.B.AnthonyandM.J.Gage,eds.,HistoryofWomen'sSuffrage,vol.1(1887),70.
Discussthefollowinginyourgroupandsummarizeyouranswersonnotebookpaper.
1.Describethecomplaintsthatareissuedinthisdeclaration.
2.Whichcomplaintsdoyoufeelaremostvalid/seriousandwhy?
3.HowdoesthisdocumentcomparetotheDeclarationofIndependence?Howdothesecomplaints
resemblecomplainsofPatriots?
4.Basedonwhatyoulearnedabout1800ssocietyafterreadingthisdocument,howwouldyourlifedifferif
youlivedthenratherthannow?
5.Areanyofthecomplaintsoutlinedstillproblematicintoday’ssociety?Explain.
6.Whyisthisdocumentrelevanttoustoday?
8
ImageofSusanB.Anthony
9
RoadTripforSuffrage
byHarrietSigerman
(Fromwww.tolerance.org)
In1915,suffragistsorganizedadaringcross-countryautotriptopromotewomen'svotingrights
OnastormynightinOctober1915,threewomendrovethroughthedesolateKansasplainsinadownpour,hopingtoget
toEmporiabeforemorning.Itwaslate,andtheyhadtheroadtothemselves.Suddenly,theircarlurchedandstopped:
Theyhaddrivenrightintoamudholeandwerestuck.Thecarwouldnotbudge--itjustsankdeeperanddeeperinthe
mud.
Thetravelerscriedoutforhelp,buttheirpleasevaporatedinthehowlingwindandrain.Finally,oneofthewomen
rememberedseeingafarmhousetwoorthreemilesback.Sheclimbedoutofthecarand,bendingforwardtobrace
herselfagainstthewind,startedwalking.Witheverystep,shesankkneedeepinthesoggyground,andherbrownwool
suitandhighheelsweresooncoveredwithmud.
"Howhadthejourneycometothis?"SaraBardFieldmusthavewonderedasshestruggledthroughthewindandrain.
Onlyafewweeksbefore,onSeptember16,Fieldhadstoodinagrandhalldeckedoutincolorfulbannersandribbons
andcrowdedwithmorethan1,000women.Theoccasionwasamajesticceremonymarkingtheendofathree-day
women'srightsconventioninSanFrancisco,Calif.,andthebeginningofahistoriccross-countrytripthatFieldwas
undertakingtopublicizethecauseofwomen'ssuffrage.Astheceremonydrewtoaclose,Fieldclimbedintoawaiting
carcoveredwithstreamers.Then,tothecheersandwhistlesofthecrowd,sheandhertravelingcompanionshaddriven
offintothefoggynight.Theirmission:Carryanenormouspetitionacrossthecountrypledgingsupportforafederal
women'ssuffrageamendmenttotheConstitution.
Thewomenwouldmakestopsalongthewaytorallysupportfortheamendmentandaddsignaturestothepetition
beforedeliveringittoPresidentWoodrowWilsonandtheU.S.Congress.Thejourneywouldalsoserveasymbolic
purpose.In1915,twelvewesternstates--withtheirmoreenlightenedsocialandlegalinstitutionsandalongtraditionof
women'ssocialactivism--hadalreadygrantedwomentherighttovote.
Field,whohailedfromoneofthesestates,Oregon,representedamovementoffourmillionWesternwomenvoters
demandingthesamepoliticalrightsfortheirdisenfranchisedEasternsisters,viaafederalamendment.Now,asshe
sloshedtowardaremotefarmhouseinthewilderness,Fielddidnotfeellikesomeonewhosymbolizedthepolitical
hopesanddreamsofsomanyAmericanwomen.
Aftertrudgingthroughthewindandrainfortwohours,shefinallystumbleduponthefarmhouseshehadseenfromthe
road.Soakingwetandcakedwithmud,sheexplainedherpredicamenttothesleepy-eyedfarmerwhoopenedthedoor.
HehitcheduptwosturdyworkhorsestohistruckanddroveFieldbacktothestalledcar.
Ontheway,sheexplainedthepurposeofhercross-countrytrip.ThefarmerseemedsomewhatbaffledbyField’s
descriptionoftheirmissionandsimplyresponded,"Well,yougirlshaveguts."
Indeed,ithadtakenpluckandcouragetomakesuchajourneyandenduretheharshroadconditions.In1915,carswere
stillaluxuryitemthatfewpeoplecouldafford.Cross-countryexcursionswereconsideredrisky.Therewereno
superhighwaysandfewgasstations,restaurants,andotherconveniencesalongtheway.Mostroadswerelittlemore
thandusty,poorlymarkedtwo-lanebyways.
Infact,neverbeforehadagroupofwomendrivenaloneacrosstheUnitedStates.Theannouncementofthejourneyhad
createdasensation,capturingnewspaperheadlinesaroundthecountry--justasitsorganizershadintended.
Fieldhadbeenhand-pickedtomakethejourneybytheleadersoftheCongressionalUnion,themilitantbranchofthe
NationalAmericanWomanSuffrageAssociation(NAWSA).Shewasanidealchoiceforthetask.Petiteandyouthful,
Fieldwaspoisedandpersonableinfrontoflargecrowds.
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BorninCincinnati,Ohio,in1882,shefirstbecameactiveinwomen'ssuffrageaftershemovedtoOregonwithher
husband,aminister.ShebecameapaidstateorganizerforNAWSAandsoonemergedasaneloquentandcharismatic
speakerforthewesternsuffragemovement
Theworkwasgrueling.Fieldspokeonstreetcornersthroughoutcountlesssmalltowns,snatchedwhateverrestshe
couldandateontherun.
Meanwhile,shedivorcedherhusband,whoopposedhersuffrageworkandexpectedhertodevoteherselftotheduties
ofaminister’swife.ShereclaimedhermaidennameandjoinedtheCongressionalUniontoworkforaConstitutional
amendmentforwomen’ssuffrage—thesamedemandfirmlyexpressedinthepetitionshenowcarriedacrossthe
country.
AccompanyingFieldonthetranscontinentaltripwereIngeborgKindstedtandMariaKindberg,twoSwedishimmigrant
womenwhowerealsoardentsuffragists.Theyownedthecarandwouldserveasdriverandmechanic.MabelVernon,
alsooftheCongressionalUnion,traveledaheadoftheconvoybytraintoorganizeparades,ralliesandreceptionsfor
Field’sarrival,likeasilentscoutpavingtheway.
ThefirstlegofthejourneytookthewomenthroughCalifornia,NevadaandUtah,thenonthroughWyoming,Colorado
andKansas.Enthusiasticcrowdsgreetedthetravelersatdozensofstopsalongtheway.Beforeenteringeachtown,the
womendecoratedthecarwithpurple,goldandwhiteflagsandwithasuffragebannerthatread:"WeDemandan
AmendmenttotheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,EnfranchisingWomen."
Insomecities,suffrageworkerswelcomedthevoyagerswithhugemotorcades,bands,fireworks,andotherpageantry.
Womenthrongedaroundthecartoaddtheirnamestothegrowingpetition.Governors,mayorsandcongressmen
greetedthesuffrageenvoysatformalreceptions,andFieldsucceededinpersuadingsometosignthepetitionaswell.
Ateverystop,Fieldgaveimpassionedspeeches.InColoradoSprings,sheaimedastingingrebukeatopponentsof
women’ssuffrage,especiallymen."Theyareveryslowinawakingtothefactthatthewomanhoodisbeingwastedin
thestruggleforenfranchisement,whenitcouldbeusedtobetteradvantageincreatingarealcivilization,"Fieldchided.
"Steamcarsandairshipsdonotmakeacivilization,butgivewomantheballotandshewilluseitasatoolfortheupbuildingofcivilization,suchastheworldhasneverseenbefore."
Asthetravelerspassedthroughsmalltownsandvillages,curiousonlookersoftengatheredtoseethebanner-bedecked
carrumbleby.Nevermissinganopportunitytowinaconverttothesuffragecause,Fieldsometimesstoppedatstreet
cornerstodeliveranimpromptuspeechfromthebackofthecar.
Thetripwasexhilarating.Andexhausting.Thewomendrovethroughrain,sleetandduststorms.Theyenduredfrigid
temperatures,flattiresandenginedifficulties.OutsideReno,Nev.,thevoyagersspentanentiredaylost,withoutamap,
inthestretchofbarrenlandknownasthe"GreatAmericanDesert."Onseveraloccasions,thewomenhadtogetout
andpushthecarthroughhugesnowdriftstomakeittothenextstopontime.Butbuoyedbytheoutpouringofsupport,
andtheimportanceoftheircause,theypressedon.
Noteveryreceptionwasawarmone,however.Women’ssuffragewas,afterall,anissuethatdividedhouseholds,as
wellasthenation.Asthewomenprogressedeastward,theypreparedthemselvesfortheirentryinto"enemyterritory"
—thosestatesthathadrejectedlegislationgivingwomenthevote.
AsFieldtoldagatheringinKansasCity,"Hardtimesstillareaheadofus.Uptillnowwehavebeentravelinginsuffrage
states,anditishardtoreadjustourselvesnowtotheattitudeofmenwhosay,‘No,wedon’twantwomentovote
becausetheydon’tgetupandgiveustheirseatsinstreetcars.’I’dratherhaveaseatofjusticethanastreetcarseat,
anyway."
11
AfterstopsinNebraska,Iowa,andMissouri,FieldgotatasteofthosehardtimesinChicago,Illinois.There,amassive
crowdofsupportersturnedouttomeetFieldandhercompanions.Scatteredthroughouttheaudience,however,were
somesuffrageopponents—"antis"—whotriedtoshoutFielddownasshedeliveredherspeech.
"Thewomenweretheworstopposers,"Fieldsaidlater,"theright-wingDAR(DaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution)and
allassociationsofthatkindwereextremelyanti,andtheysenttheirspeakersrightonmytrailintheEast."
Despitethesenewdifficulties,thehardybandoftravelerscontinuedon,makingstopsinIndiana,Ohio,andMichigan
beforeheadingtoAlbany,thecapitalofNewYork.ReportsofField’sexploitshadreachedthestate’sgovernor,who
greetedthesuffragecrusaderintheexecutivemansion.HepaidthediminutiveFieldthehighestcomplimentofall:"I
thoughtyouwouldbetenfeettall."Hethensignedthepetition,despitetherecentdefeatofwomen’ssuffragebythe
malevotersofNewYorkState.
ButSaraBardFieldfeltneithertallnorpowerful.Instead,shewastenseandexhaustedaftertravelingtwomonthsina
crowdedcaroverbumpy,pittedroads,makingcountlessspeeches,stoppinginadifferenttownorcityalmosteveryday.
Althoughthepetitionwasgrowinglongerwitheverystop,hertaskwasnotyetfinished.ShestillhadmostoftheEast
Coasttocover.AfteraquicksuccessionofstopsinMassachusetts,RhodeIsland,NewYorkCity,Delaware,and
Maryland,thewearytravelersapproachedtheirlaststop:Washington,D.C.
Theyhadspentnearlythreemonthsontheroad,loggingmorethan5,000milesandcollectingnumeroussignaturesfor
theirpetition.Thewomenpreparedthevaliantlittlecar—nowdentedandscratchedandcoveredwithstickersfrom
everystop—foritsentranceintothenation’scapital.Shortlyafter11:00a.m.onDecember6,1915,thecarmoved
slowlydowntheBaltimoreTurnpike,likeawar-wearysoldiertriumphantlymarchingintothefinalbattle.
Acrossitsdustyfrontfenderstretchedavividpurplestreamerwiththewordsemblazonedinwhite,"OntoCongress."
Thecarstoppedjustoutsidethecity.There,theyweremetbyawelcomingcommitteebefittingroyalty.Undauntedby
thebitterlycoldweather,thecrowdassembledforaparadethroughWashington,D.C.Asabandbegantoplay,Mrs.
JohnJayWhite,thegrandmarshal,ledthewayonhorseback,holdingherridingcropaloftlikeatorch.
BehindhercameFieldandherfellowenvoysinthebatteredcarthathadcarriedthemacrossacontinentandnow
towardtheirfinaldestinations,theCapitolandtheWhiteHouse.
Severalwomenonfootcarriedtheenormouspetition,unrolledtoonly100ofitsalmost19,000feet.Theywerefollowed
bymorewomenonhorseback,eachriderrepresentingoneofthe12statesandAlaskaTerritorythathadalready
grantedwomentherighttovote.Andbehindthemmarchedanothergroup,representingthe36statesthathadnotyet
grantedthatright.
Nextcameflagandbannerbearersdressedinpurpleandgoldcapes,theircolorssnappingsmartlyinthewind.They
escortedareplicaoftheLibertyBelldecoratedinpurple,goldandwhite.Scoresofotherwomenproudlyfollowed,
wavingtheirpennantsatthecheeringcrowdsalongtheway.
Finally,theparadereachedtheCapitol,wherealargedelegationofcongressmenstoodatthetopofthepolishedwhite
marblestepstoreceiveField.Slowly,shemadetheirwaytothedelegation,followedby20womencarryingthepartially
unrolledpetitionasiftheywereladiesinwaitingcarryingthequeen’sroyalrobes.
Field,alongwithtwopro-suffragecongressmen,spokebriefly,andtheparademovedontotheWhiteHouse.The
processionofcarsstoppedinthesemicirculardriveinfrontofthepresident’smansion,andField,hertraveling
companionsand300otherinvitedguestswereusheredintotheenormousEastRoomtobegreetedbyPresident
WoodrowWilson.
12
ToField,thepresidentlooked"sternandannoyed"—hehad,afterall,alreadyenduredsimilarpleasforafederal
suffrageamendmentfromdelegationsofEasternwomenandhadtoldeachoftheminturnthatwomen’ssuffragewasa
matterforeachstatetodecide,notaConstitutionalquestion.
Dwarfedbythehuge,sparklingchandeliersoverhead,Fieldspokefirst."Mr.President,…Iknowwhatyourstand[on
suffrage]hasbeeninthepast….Butwehaveseenthat,likeallgreatmen,youhavechangedyourmindonother
questions…andwehonestlybelievethatcircumstanceshavesoalteredthatyoumaychangeyourmindinthisregard."
Thewomendrewhisattentiontothepetition,whichFieldhadunrolledacrossthepolishedhardwoodfloor.ThenField
gentlybutpointedlyremindedhimthatmanyofthesignaturescamefromgovernors,mayorsandcongressmen.
WilsonturnedtoField,andsaid,"IhopeitistruethatIamnotamansetstifflybeyondthepossibilityoflearning.…
Nothingcouldbemoreimpressivethanthepresentationofsucharequestinsuchnumbersandbackedbysuch
influencesasundoubtedlystandbehindyou.…Thisvisitofyourswillremaininmymindnotonlyasadelightful
compliment,butalsoasaveryimpressivething,whichundoubtedlywillmakeitnecessaryforallofustoconsidervery
carefullywhatisrightforustodo."
ButFieldknewthathehadnotbeenpersuaded.Latershesaid,"Icouldseeatoncethathewouldbeahardmanto
convinceofanythingthathedidnotspontaneouslybelieve.Buthelistenedtowhatyouweresaying.Andhisface—you
couldtellbyhiseyesthathewasfollowingwhatyousaid.
"Oh,thewomenwentoutjubilant.Theythoughtthiswastheturningpoint.Theythoughthewasgoingtobackthe
amendmentinCongress."
But,sadly,theywereverywrong.AsrumblingsofwarinEuropeconsumedthepresident’sandthenation’sattention,
thefederalsuffrageamendmentmovedatasnail’spacefirstthroughtheHouseofRepresentativesandthenthrough
theU.S.Senate.
SaraBardFieldandotherdedicatedsuffragistsdidnotgiveupthecause,however.In1917,womenwontherightto
voteineightmorestates:NorthDakota,Ohio,Indiana,Nebraska,Arkansas,Michigan,RhodeIslandandNewYork.
Fieldhadvisitedmostofthesestatesduringhercross-countrytour.Whetherherrallyingeffortsmadethedifferencein
thosestatesremainsunknown,butshesurelyhelpedtoraisepublicawarenesswherevershestopped.
WorldWarIendedonNovember11,1918,andCongresssoontookuptheunfinishedbusinessofthewomen’ssuffrage
amendment.OnAugust26,1920,women’ssuffragefinallybecamethelawoftheland.
Ithadbeen72yearssinceAmericanwomenhadmetinSenecaFalls,N.Y.,todemandtheirrighttovote,andnearlyfive
yearssinceSaraBardFieldhadmadehermomentouscross-countryroadtrip.
AsforField,sheremainedactiveinthewomen’srightsmovementforafewmoreyears.In1920,shemovedtoSan
Franciscowithhercompanion,thelawyer-poetCharlesErskineScottWoodandin1938,theyweremarried.
Gradually,Fieldturnedherenergyfrompoliticstopoetry,andoverthefollowingtwodecadesshepublishedthree
volumesofverse.Afterherhusbandpassedaway,FieldlivedquietlyinBerkeley,Calif.,whereshediedonJune15,1974.
Althoughshechampionedwomen’sissuesthroughoutherlife,Fieldmadehergreatestcontributiontowomen’ssocial
andpoliticalprogressduringherhistoricjourneyforjustice.Likethelargermovementthatsherepresented,she
surmountedobstaclesandhardshipsalongtheway,andpushedon,undefeated,towardhergoal.
Yearslatersheproudlydeclared,"Thecross-countrytripmeantwakingupanationtonationalsuffrage.…[W]ehave
madehistory."Source:http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?p=0&ar=438&pa=1
13
ImageofSuffragist
Source:RecordGroup165,RecordsoftheWarDepartmentGeneralandSpecialStaff,NationalArchivesandRecordsAdministration
14
ElectionDay!
15
CreateaVisualTimeline-Women’sCivilRightsinNorthCarolina
Directions:
1. Usingthewebsitewww.ibiblio.org/uncpress/ncbooks/suffrage/sufferage.html,your
textbook,andadditionalresources,createavisualtimelineofthehistoryandimpactofcivil
rightsonwomaninNorthCarolina.
2. Yourtimelineshouldincludeatleast12majoreventsthatfitwithinoneormoreofthe
followingcategories:
• NCmilestones
• USmilestones
• Examplesofcivicparticipation
• Mostimportantmoments
3. Onceyouhaveidentifiedthe12(ormore)majorevents,createavisualtimelineonposter
boardorchartpaper.Includesketches,symbols,drawings,oranyotherartisticadditionsto
makeyourtimelinevisual,educational,andcreative.
4. Bepreparedtopresentyourtimelineinsmallgroups.
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