Women's Suffrage Movement: Silent Sentinels and Alice Paul

Women's Suffrage Movement

Overview

The women's suffrage movement refers to the struggle for women's right to vote in the United States. It began in the mid-19th century and lasted until the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1920. Throughout this period, various strategies and figures played significant roles in achieving this milestone.

Silent Sentinels

The "Silent Sentinels" were a group of suffragists who picketed the White House from January 10, 1917, to August 26, 1920. They were members of the National Woman's Party (NWP), which employed more militant tactics than the more mainstream National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The Sentinels carried large banners that compared President Wilson to Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and stood in silence six days a week. Their actions sparked controversy but also generated sympathy for the suffrage cause.

During their protests, the Sentinels faced harsh treatment, including beatings, choking, and violent feeding for those who engaged in hunger strikes. The mistreatment drew public attention to the suffrage movement, and the courts eventually dismissed all charges against them. This legal victory set an important precedent for future activism.

Despite opposition from the NAWSA and some mainstream suffragists, the Sentinels remained dedicated to the cause. Many of them saw their incarceration as a badge of honor, believing that their sacrifices would contribute to securing the vote for women.

Alice Paul

Alice Paul was a key figure in the women's suffrage movement, particularly known for her role in the NWP. Born in Moorestown, New Jersey, Paul studied at Swarthmore College, the New York School of Philanthropy (now Columbia University School of Social Work), and the University of Pennsylvania. She learned militant tactics during her time in England, where she witnessed women's rights campaigns.

When Paul returned to the United States, she applied these tactics to the fight for women's right to vote. Her persistence and determination earned her both admiration and criticism from her peers. Despite objections from family and friends, Paul refused to abandon her goals.

As a leader in the NWP, Paul oversaw the planning and execution of the Silent Sentinel protests, which helped galvanize support for the suffrage movement. Her unrelenting spirit and steadfast dedication to the cause played a vital role in the ultimate success of the women's suffrage movement.