Week 7 Reflection: Women's Suffrage
A suffragette that is widely talked about is Susan B. Anthony, who is the face of the women's suffrage movement. But one of the unsung heroes if the cause, who I never knew existed until now, is Alice Paul. Alice Paul argued that the campaign for suffrage should continue, even during WW1. She also formed the National Women's Party and even picketed the White House in 1916 to make a change. Alice Paul and other radical suffrage leaders were harassed and beaten by people passing by, and neither President Wilson or the police protected them. In July 1917, President Wilson arrested 168 of the suffragettes on charges of "obstructing traffic," and this is where things started to change. Alice Paul led a hunger strike in prison for five weeks and was even force-fed through a tube at some point. I watched the scene from "Iron Jawed Angels," where Paul was force-fed, and it was unfortunate and disgusting to watch. I respect her for fighting in what she believes to that extent. Overall, eight people died from the hunger strike, and President Wilson released them. In January 1918, President Woodrow Wilson said he would support an amendment to grant women the right to vote. Even though Wilson only endorsed the bill to receive women's votes, on June 4, 1919, the Susan B. Anthony's amendment passed and became law by 1920. It is crazy that out of all of American history; women only gained the right to vote 100 years ago. America is supposedly the country of freedom, yet time and time again, people in power try to prevent others from achieving their freedom and fundamental rights. I am just glad women are treated differently now, and hopefully, our next feat can be tackling the wage gap.
Woman have been through a lot and I feel bad back then in this era. But one thing I like about this this movement is that, these woman showed empowerment and that's what make them a unique individual.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is an outrage that women were held down the way they were in this country for so long. For them to be looked at as a second class citizen is a shame, because they are every bit important as the men in the country and the men didn't seem to understand that. Women have made great strides toward their equality and won't stop till they get it.
ReplyDeleteThe treatment of others has consistently been the destruction of America. The white man can't and doesn't have the foggiest idea how to treat somebody well in the event that they are diverse structure them. We can see that from the beginning of time with, The Natives, The Slaves, and Women, among others. To hold a gathering of individuals down for something so straightforward isn't right and never will be. Ladies contended energetically to get what they were owed, lastly got it with the option to cast a ballot. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThe way they treated people has always been a down fall for America and needs to change. Women have been through so much in American and had to fight for every right that they have it’s crazy. They are so strong and need to be treated better.
ReplyDeleteI also was excited about week 7's topic. I am also glad that those women broke the barrier for us to be more than a housewife to a husband. There are women out here doing empowering things because of the path the women before us pathed.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Aleena. I remember being in total awe of Alice Paul when I first learned about her. She is truly an American Shero!
ReplyDelete