Alice Paul (Suffragist) - On This Day

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Profession: Suffragist

Biography: Alice Paul's mother was a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and it is through her that Paul learnt about the women's suffrage movement.

After graduating from Swarthmore College, which her grandfather had co-founded, Paul went on to work in social work for a while. Eventually she concluded that this was no way to make a real difference, which led to her seeking other avenues for her efforts.

Paul ended up moving to London to study sociology and economics at the London School of Economics, here she became involved with the English suffrage movement and was a regular participant in demonstrations and marches. It was here that she met Lucy Burns, with whom she was to return to America and establish the National Woman's Party.

Ultimately Paul's spirited involvement in the woman's suffrage movement paid off with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Later Paul would also contribute to the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, which asserted: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

While the ERA movement is still ongoing, Paul was successful in adding protection for women to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Born: January 11, 1885
Birthplace: Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey, USA

Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: July 9, 1977 (aged 92)

Articles and Photos

Historical Events

  • 1913-03-03 Woman suffrage procession through Washington, D.C. organized by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns and led by Inez Milholland. Ida B. Wells marched with her Illinois delegation despite blacks being told to march in a separate section.
  • 1917-01-10 Suffragettes the "Silent Sentinels" first protest outside The White House, in Washington led by Alice Paul and the National Woman's Party
  • 1917-10-20 US suffragette Alice Paul begins a 7 month jail sentence for peacefully picketing in support of the women's Suffrage (right to vote) Amendment at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Famous Suffragists and Suffragettes

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