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Courage in Corsets: Winning the Vote in Washington State

KSPS PBS Public TV・33 minutes read

The women's suffrage movement in Washington faced significant societal opposition and legal challenges, culminating in a major victory on November 8, 1910, when women won the right to vote by a two-to-one margin. This success not only revitalized the local suffrage movement but also contributed to the nationwide passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy for women's rights.

Insights

  • The financial backing for KSPS-TV comes from various organizations, including The Friends of KSPS-TV and The Joel E Ferris Foundation, which ensures the station's stability and continued operation in the community.
  • The struggle for women's suffrage in Washington State was marked by persistent efforts over 50 years, with significant milestones such as women gaining the right to vote in 1883 and the eventual victory in 1910, which demonstrated the effectiveness of organized advocacy and community engagement in overcoming societal opposition.
  • Key figures like Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton played crucial roles in revitalizing the suffrage movement by employing different strategies; DeVoe focused on a refined, gentle approach to win support from men, while Hutton, known for her boldness, appealed to justice and direct action, showcasing the diverse tactics that contributed to the eventual success of women's suffrage in Washington.

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Recent questions

  • What is women's suffrage?

    Women's suffrage refers to the legal right of women to vote in elections. This movement aimed to secure equal voting rights for women, challenging societal norms that historically excluded them from political participation. The struggle for women's suffrage involved decades of activism, organizing, and advocacy, as women fought against significant opposition and legal barriers. The movement gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in various successes across different states, with Washington being one of the early adopters of women's voting rights. The achievement of women's suffrage not only marked a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality but also laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements.

  • How did women gain the right to vote?

    Women gained the right to vote through a long and arduous struggle that involved grassroots organizing, public advocacy, and legislative efforts. The suffrage movement began in the mid-19th century, with early conventions and campaigns aimed at challenging the legal and societal barriers that prevented women from voting. Key figures, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, played pivotal roles in raising awareness and mobilizing support. Over time, women in various states, particularly in the West, successfully lobbied for suffrage, with Washington State granting women the right to vote in 1910. This victory was achieved through strategic campaigns, public demonstrations, and the formation of women's clubs that focused on social reform, ultimately leading to the nationwide recognition of women's voting rights with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

  • What challenges did suffragists face?

    Suffragists faced numerous challenges in their quest for voting rights, including societal opposition, legal barriers, and internal divisions within the movement. Many people believed that women were unfit for political participation, often citing traditional gender roles and societal norms. Additionally, suffragists encountered resistance from powerful interests, such as the saloon lobby, which feared that women's votes would lead to the prohibition of alcohol. The movement also grappled with issues of race and class, as some suffragists prioritized the rights of white women while marginalizing women of color. Despite these obstacles, suffragists organized for decades, employing various strategies to raise awareness and garner support, ultimately achieving significant milestones in the fight for women's rights.

  • What role did organizations play in suffrage?

    Organizations played a crucial role in the suffrage movement by providing structure, resources, and a platform for advocacy. Groups like the Washington Equal Suffrage Association and the Women's Christian Temperance Union mobilized women across different backgrounds to work collectively towards the common goal of securing voting rights. These organizations facilitated community engagement, education, and fundraising efforts, allowing women to share their experiences and strategies. They organized events, parades, and campaigns to raise public awareness and support for suffrage, often using creative tactics to attract attention. The formation of these groups not only strengthened the suffrage movement but also fostered a sense of solidarity among women, empowering them to challenge the status quo and advocate for their rights.

  • What was the significance of the 19th Amendment?

    The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, was a landmark achievement in the fight for women's rights, granting women across the United States the legal right to vote. This amendment represented the culmination of decades of activism, struggle, and sacrifice by countless suffragists who fought against societal norms and legal barriers. The passage of the 19th Amendment not only enfranchised women but also symbolized a significant shift towards gender equality in American society. It inspired further movements for civil rights and social justice, as women began to assert their political power and influence. The amendment's ratification underscored the importance of continued advocacy for women's rights and the need to address ongoing inequalities, reminding future generations of the work still needed to achieve true equality.

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Summary

00:00

Women's Suffrage Journey in America

  • The program is supported by The Friends of KSPS-TV, The Joel E Ferris Foundation, and The Friends of KSPS Endowment at the Inland Northwest Community Foundation, ensuring financial stability for KSPS-TV.
  • On November 2, 1920, millions of American women voted for the first time, achieving full citizenship 144 years after the Declaration of Independence, while women in the American West had been voting for years, with Wyoming leading the way.
  • By 1915, nearly every western state and territory had granted women the right to vote, with Washington being the fifth state to do so in 1910, where suffrage passed with a 2:1 majority across all counties.
  • The struggle for women's suffrage involved overcoming significant societal opposition, with women in Washington State organizing for over 50 years, facing challenges related to temperance, religion, race, class, and gender.
  • Historically, women had no rights, were barred from higher education, and were considered unfit for jury duty or property ownership, with married women legally regarded as property of their husbands.
  • The first Women's Rights Convention in 1848, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and four Quaker women in Seneca Falls, aimed to challenge the customs and laws that kept women powerless, leading to the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments.
  • In 1853, Washington Territory was formed, and a proposal to allow white women over 18 to vote failed by just one vote, highlighting the early struggles for suffrage in the region.
  • After the Civil War, voting was seen as a privilege, with new amendments enfranchising black men but excluding women, prompting suffragists to challenge these amendments through the New Departure Movement.
  • Abigail Scott Duniway, a prominent suffragist, founded "The New Northwest" newspaper in 1871 to advocate for women's rights, sharing stories and fostering a sense of community among women in isolated areas.
  • Susan B. Anthony joined Duniway on a 2,400-mile lecture tour in 1871, where they spoke in various venues to promote women's suffrage, facing ridicule and hostility but also changing minds and establishing women's organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

18:00

Women’s Suffrage Triumphs and Setbacks in Washington

  • In 1883, women in Washington Territory gained the right to vote, including African American women, marking a significant milestone in suffrage history, as the territory enacted the most liberal voting laws in the nation at that time.
  • During the 1884 election, women demonstrated their voting power, with 12,000 out of 48,000 ballots cast by women, equating to a turnout of 90%, surprising many men who underestimated women's political engagement.
  • Women utilized their voting rights to address social issues, particularly targeting alcohol, which they associated with domestic violence and the mismanagement of family resources, leading to the formation of clubs like the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
  • Abigail Scott Duniway opposed the alliance of women's suffrage with the temperance movement, fearing it alienated male voters and that liquor interests were funding anti-suffrage campaigns.
  • In 1888, the Washington Territorial Supreme Court invalidated women's voting rights due to pressure from the saloon lobby, leaving women devastated after only four years of voting.
  • Following the court's decision, 36 Seattle women signed a petition to Congress expressing their outrage at being disenfranchised, feeling they had been stripped of their rights and reduced to a status comparable to marginalized groups.
  • As Washington prepared for statehood in 1889, women were sidelined again, unable to vote for delegates to frame the new constitution, and their suffrage efforts were moved to a separate ballot, which they lost by a significant margin.
  • The suffrage movement faced further challenges with evidence of voting irregularities, such as pre-printed ballots that had "For Women Suffrage" crossed out, which fueled anger among suffragists.
  • Women's clubs emerged as vital organizations for social reform, allowing women to engage in community improvement efforts, educate themselves, and advocate for issues like public health and education, despite lacking formal political power.
  • By the early 20th century, under the leadership of Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton, the suffrage movement in Washington was revitalized, emphasizing a refined and tactful approach to advocacy, which included public performances and community engagement to garner support for women's voting rights.

33:50

Suffrage Strategies: DeVoe and Hutton's Rivalry

  • Emma Smith DeVoe emphasized femininity in her appearance, wearing outfits with small waists, puffy sleeves, lace, and white silk crepe, often accessorized with flowers to win over society in her suffrage efforts.
  • In 1906, DeVoe became president of the Washington Equal Suffrage Association and implemented the Still Hunt strategy, which encouraged women to persuade the men in their lives to support women's voting rights on a personal level.
  • DeVoe advised suffragists to focus solely on suffrage, maintain a positive demeanor, and present themselves as gentle and unthreatening to effectively convince men to support their cause.
  • May Arkwright Hutton, contrasting DeVoe, was known for her flamboyant style, including a striped zebra coat and a red automobile, and was a direct and fearless suffrage organizer from a working-class background.
  • Hutton, who moved to Washington in 1906, was determined to regain her voting rights and became a prominent suffrage advocate, appealing to men's sense of justice with slogans like "no taxation without representation."
  • By 1909, DeVoe revitalized the Washington Equal Suffrage Association by writing a new constitution, instituting a dues system, and collaborating with a state senator to introduce a women's suffrage bill.
  • During the 1909 Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in Seattle, suffragists organized a significant campaign, including a special train called the Suffrage Special, which brought national leaders to promote women's suffrage.
  • A power struggle emerged between DeVoe and Hutton, with Hutton's supporters attempting to unseat DeVoe at the state convention, leading to accusations against Hutton and a chaotic scene at the event.
  • Despite the controversy, DeVoe was reelected as president, but Hutton formed a new organization, the Washington Political Equality League, which ultimately strengthened the suffrage movement by diversifying approaches.
  • The 1910 campaign saw a united front of women from various backgrounds working together for suffrage, employing modern tactics and publicity strategies, including climbing mountains to plant suffrage banners, to attract attention and support for their cause.

49:03

Washington Women's Suffrage Movement Triumphs

  • Washington suffragists utilized parades and floats to promote their cause, opting for floats to avoid the militant connotations of marching, with representations such as women shackled and the Goddess of Liberty wielding an axe. They also published the "Washington Women's Cook Book" as a fundraiser, emphasizing their domestic roles while advocating for suffrage, and launched the newspaper "Votes for Women" to share statewide information and testimonials from other states, encouraging community engagement through poster brigades with slogans like "fewer divorces where women vote."
  • On November 8, 1910, Washington State women achieved the right to vote, winning by a two-to-one margin across all counties, making Washington the fifth state to enact women's suffrage. This victory was celebrated nationwide, revitalizing the suffrage movement and inspiring other states to adopt similar tactics, as the success demonstrated the positive impact of women voting, countering fears of societal collapse.
  • The momentum from Washington's victory contributed to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women across the United States the right to vote. Influential figures like Susan B. Anthony and Abigail Scott Duniway highlighted the importance of this achievement and the responsibility of future generations to continue advocating for reforms, acknowledging the sacrifices made by earlier suffragists to secure these rights.
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