Woman Suffrage Bonfire at the White House
1917 - 1918
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The original caption for this photograph reads: Suffragettes at Washington, District of Columbia bonfire at White House. It was taken by photographers Harris & Ewing.
Frustrated with President Woodrow Wilson’s inaction on woman suffrage, the National Woman’s Party picketed the White House, the first political activists to do so.
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.
Frustrated with President Woodrow Wilson’s inaction on woman suffrage, the National Woman’s Party picketed the White House, the first political activists to do so.
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.
This primary source comes from the Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs.
National Archives Identifier: 533785
Full Citation: Photograph 165-WW-(600A)21; Suffragettes at Washington, District of Columbia bonfire at White House; 1917 - 1918; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918; Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, Record Group 165; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/suffragettes-bonfire-white-house, May 4, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.