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The National Woman Suffrage Association
The organization, aptly named the National Woman Suffrage Association, was formed by suffragettes Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (pictured) in New York. They both played, "a large part in the abolitionist movement leading up to the Civil War" (Corbett et al., U.S. History, 498-499). But as happy as they were that black males had won the right to vote right after they formed the NWSA; they were dismayed that women were left behind. This spurred them into greater action. -
Ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment was celebrated on this day with its third and final ratification. The amendment signified the true end of unrest and the restoration of the Union for many. This is because it allowed "ALL" men the right to vote; not just white men. The amendment states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude"(Library of Congress). -
National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed
The NAWSA was a merger between the NWSA in New York and the AWSA Boston. Since both associations had the same goal they decided their cause would continue and become stronger if they had the numbers. In 1890, they made the merger complete. Susan B. Anthony maintained her presidency. This meant their numbers were now in the millions. They even went to the Democratic National Convention and handed out pamphlets named "An American Plank for an American Platform" (Bryn Mawr Library). -
Changing of the Guard (NAWSA)
In 1900, Susan B Anthony (who at the time, was 80 years old) retires from the position of president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and Carrie Chapman Catt takes over the position (pic, on lft in white). NAWSA begins it drive towards their cause which is having a constitutional right to vote throughout states and nationally. The organization then begins an extremely successful membership drive because they want to include a younger generation. -
Suffrage March on Washington, 1913
Alice Paul and Lucy Burn break off from NAWSA and start the "Congressional Union". This organization will later become The National Woman's Party. The Congressional Union takes suffragettes into a different path. They focused on women having a vote at the national level rather than the state level. The march was held the day before the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson, who was not a fan of the suffragettes.This would not be the first time they were in the capital. They returned in 1916. -
1917-A "Bright" Year to Come?
On January 6, 1917, a newspaper article says, "The year 1917 opens up with the brightest outlook for equal suffrage" (Woman's Journal 1917). The newspaper, Woman's Journal, began printing in 1870 out of Boston, MA. The newspaper, which is pictured here (same citation), has different articles about equal rights but also served as a political newspaper for women. In fact, an article on the front page discusses the fact two females were voted into the Montana House of Representatives. -
Go Vote Women!
The ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution allowed women to vote. It was a victory 100 years in the making. But there was still a long road to go for equal rights. Also, women could see how hard black males had it despite their Constitutional right to vote. But at the time it was a cause for celebration. As you can see in the photo, women were overjoyed to have had the victory and cast their first votes.
