Today in Herstory: Support Swells for Suffragists (15 jan 1917)

Today in Herstory: Support Swells for Suffragists

January 15, 1917: Reinforcements – and more contributions – for the “Silent Sentinels” today.



The small group of banner-bearing suffragists huddled around the White House gates from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. since January 10th was expanded by enough new recruits today to form a line of pickets almost all the way along the fence. Support for their protest of President Wilson’s refusal to endorse or work for the Susan B. Anthony (nationwide woman suffrage) Amendment is manifesting itself in many forms and is growing as quickly as the number of protesters. Heavy coats and rain gear have been the most appreciated items donated to the Sentinels as they fight Washington’s winter weather. Among the most generous of their outfitters are Elizabeth Kent and her husband, Independent Representative William Kent of California. They have given not only their own warmest clothing, but gone around collecting more from other supporters so Elizabeth can make her daily donations.

Monetary contributions are certainly welcome, and are coming in at an increased pace. Alva Belmont is the largest donor so far at $5,000. Louisine Havemeyer sent a note to Alice Paul, who was on the picket line today right along with her troops. The note said: “Good Work! Keep it up!” and was accompanied by a check for $200.

Small contributions can mean a lot as well, because they show that even people who are not active in the movement are now lending their support. For example, a schoolmaster leading a group of students along Pennsylvania Avenue walked up to a Sentinel and gave her five dollars. Another man dropped off a dollar at their headquarters “to treat the pickets to coffee.” There were even a few male supporters of equal suffrage in the line from time to time today alongside the officially designated protesters of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage.

Expanded picket lines require more banners, so four more have been added. All the banners ask one of two questions: “MR. PRESIDENT, HOW LONG MUST WOMEN WAIT FOR LIBERTY?” and “MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE?”

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http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2015/01/15/today-in-herstory-support-swells-for-suffragists/