Suffrage Pennants

Suffrage pennants were generally made out of felt, although varieties exist in linen, gauze, wool, and even paper. Pennants for political candidates first appear around 1904, but it was not until 1908 that they became a familiar part of the campaign landscape. Their appearance in a suffrage context came about four years later, and they were used in parades, rallies, and other demonstrations.

The majority simply consisted of the phrase “Votes for Women” in black letters set against a yellow background. A few identified the issuing party such as the “Woman’s Suffrage Party,” and others would allude to a coming demonstration or referendum. The most colorful displayed the image of Ella Buchanan’s famous statue, “The Suffragist Arousing Her Sisters,” or the Clarion figure ultimately derived from an English design created by Caroline Watts. A significant portion of pennants was made either by the WSP or by the Women’s Political Union, probably for the many parades that were held for the cause throughout New York State.