Tiffany Dillon
Psychology HQ 1105
8.00 A.M.

Courage Mistaken for Insanity

The “Iron Jawed Angels” movie won the Golden Globe Award, USA 2005, for best performance. In this movie, “Defiant young activists take the women’s suffrage movement by storm, putting their lives at risk to help American women win the right to vote.” The National American Women’s suffrage Association, or NAWSA, was an organization that was founded in May 1890. This was the largest suffrage group in the United States. The group had quickly become the leading organization of hundreds of other smaller groups. The main advocator was Susan B. Anthony from 1890-1900. In the 1900’s Carrie Champan Catt took over the organization. Later in 1904 Anna Howard Shaw was the president of NAWSA. When the organizations goal was achieved in 1920 NAWSA was transformed into the League of Women Voters. The Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage was created under NAWSA in 1913. However, in 1917, The Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage split from NAWSA. The founders, Lucy Burns and Alice, Paul created NWP- National Women’s Party. This new group’s focus was the passage of a constitutional amendment ensuring women’s suffrage. Both NAWSA and NWP had the same concern. These women were fighting to have the same rights as any other American man. They protested for a constitutional amendment that would give women the same right as any men to vote. When asked by a doctor to explain herself, Alice Paul replied, “You want a place in trades and professions where you can earn your bread. So do I. You want some means of self-expression. Some way of satisfying your own personal ambitions. So do I. You want a voice in the government under which you live. So do I.” (Mental Examination. Narr. Alice Paul. Occoquan Workhouse. Performance.) Another person said, “It is fair and right that those who must obey the law should have a voice in making them. That those who must pay taxes should have a vote as to the size of the tax and the way it shall be spent.” The organizations worked to spread awareness of their cause. They started small, writing to newspapers, politicians and hosting dinner parties. In March 1913, President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration was held. The day before his inauguration, the suffragists marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. The Woman Suffrage Parade attracted both good and bad attention. Soon NWP was inspired to picket the White House. At first the group was condoned, but they continued to picket, even after the United States had declared war. 218 women were arrested by police for obstructing traffic. In court, they had refused to pay a fine, pleading they had done nothing wrong. The result was a sentence to Occoquan Workhouse for 60 days. Some members of the organization participated in a hunger strike. This scandal led to a number of women being force-fed. In order for the constitution to be changed 36 states approvals were needed. After a large scale of negativity had developed, impacting America’s reputation, President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech before congress. He said, “This war could not have been fought by America if it had not been for the services of women. We have made partners of the women in this war. Shall we admit them only to a partnership of suffering, and sacrifice and toile? And not a partnership of privilege? And right? I know the magic it will work in their thoughts and spirits if you give this thing to them. It is mere justice. We shall need their moral sense to preserve what is right and fine and worthy in our system of life. Be assured the voices of the radicals who advocate and disrupt have no influence here today. The task of women lies at the very heart of the war, and I know how much stronger that heart will beat if you do this thing, and show our women that you trust them as much as you, in fact, depend on them. Do you need further proof?” (Women's Suffrage. By President Woodrow Wilson. D.C., Washington. 30 Sept. 1918. Performance.) In August 1920, the 19th amendment became constitutional law. This new constitutional law gave women the right to vote.

Resources v Iron Jawed Angels. Dir. Katja Von Garnnier. Perf. Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston, and Frances O' Onnor and Vera Frmiga and PatrickDempsey. 2004. Film. v Lunardini, Christine A. Alice Paul: Equality for Women. Philadelphia: Westview, 2013. Print. v Mental Examination. Narr. Alice Paul. Occoquan Workhouse. Performance. v "Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Apr. 2014. Web. 05 Feb. 2014. v "TEACHERS." Scholastic Teachers. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. v "What Is the 19th Amendment?" About.com Women's Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. v Women's Suffrage. By President Woodrow Wilson. D.C., Washington. 30 Sept. 1918. Performance.