Suffrage Procession

Seeking new ways to pressure President Woodrow Wilson to openly endorse a federal amendment for women’s suffrage, Alice Paul sent women to picket the White House. These “Silent Sentinels” were the first to do so, and they assembled every day from January 10, 1917, until the amendment finally was ratified on August 18, 1920. Their purple, cream, and gold banners were highly recognizable and drew attention from afar. For the first few months, the picketers amused President Wilson, and he even invited them in for tea several times. However, after the United States entered World War I in April 1917, he and others felt their presence had become embarrassing. Indeed, the suffragists pointed out the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy and freedom in Europe while denying the vote to women at home. Beginning in June, District of Columbia police began arresting the suffragist picketers.