The National Women’s Party (NWP), previously known as the Congressional Union, was led by Alice Paul and used civil disobedience tactics similar to those of British suffragists – such as hunger strikes and protesting at public events – to fight for women’s suffrage.
Members of the NWP were the first political activists to picket in front of the White House. They began peacefully protesting six days a week in January 1917, but encountered hostile crowds after the United States entered World War I in April. Dozens of women were arrested, many of whom were jailed and force-fed. The resulting publicity and public outcry over their treatment is often credited with compelling President Woodrow Wilson to support woman suffrage.
The protesters demonstrated for nearly 30 months until Congress passed a joint resolution proposing a 19th amendment on June 4, 1919. The banner they are holding in this photograph reads:
President Wilson is deceiving the world when he appears as the prophet of democracy
President Wilson has opposed those who demand democracy for this country
He is responsible for the disfranchisement of millions of Americans
We in America know this
The world will find him out.
The original caption for this photograph reads: Woman suffrage in Washington, District of Columbia. Suffragettes bonfire and posters at the White House, Washington, District of Columbia.
