The Ladies

The Iron Jawed Angels

Alice Paul

Alice Paul is one of the main architects for the women suffrage movement.  Alice was born on January 11, 1885. She was born to a Quaker family in New Jersey. Alice was a very smart woman, who desired education. In 1907 she moved to London to study social work, where she was also involved with the suffrage movement. Alice became heavily involved when she met the Pankhurst family. They were a family that consisted of a mother and two daughters. These women were leaders of a militant faction of suffragettes. The Pankhurst women believed that words were not enough. They believed that actions are the only way to be heard. Alice took this belief and used it to help get women to join her movement. The Pankhurst’s were very aggressive in their actions. They engaged in disruptive behavior to get what they wanted. Alice took all these strategies she learned and incorporated them to eventually help the U.S. women achieve the rights to vote, among other things.  She devoted her life to women's rights. ("Alice Paul", 2012)

Before her hunger strike in Virginia, Alice Paul participated in protests for women's suffrage in London, England. This is where her first hunger strike took place as well as three prison terms.

Alice returned to the United States and Joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) where she became the chairman of the congressional committee. Eventually Alice’s radical behavior clashed with the NAWSA. Therefore, Paul and Burns decided to split with NASWA and they started the National Woman’s Party (NWP) in 1916. The NWP took action with radical measures. They started picketing at the White House. Things took a gruesome turn as Alice and multiple others are thrown into the Washington Jail or Occoquan Workhouse. Paul started to lead a hunger strike to demand better treatment of her fellow suffragists. Because of her refusal to eat food, she ends up being force fed.("Alice Paul"(1885-1977) n.d)

Alice was a feminist and suffragist, a woman who was determined and strong. Alice Paul’s fierce actions to demand equality were a major factor that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. She used unconventional strategies to demand justice, rather than waiting patiently for it. WE received the right to vote, because of Alice Paul. The film Iron Jawed Angels overall portrays Alice Paul correctly.  Alice Paul was a strong-willed, persistent, smart, courageous, driven, woman. 

"Alice Paul." 2012. The Biography Channel website. Nov 23 2012, 08:46 http://www.biography.com/people/alice-paul-9435021.

"Alice Paul (1885-1977)." Education & Resources. NWHM, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/alice-paul/>.

Lucy Burns

Lucy Burns was one of the more prominent leader of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. She was arrested six times in the U.S.. Lucy spent more time in prison than any other suffragist. She was Alice Paul’s right hand woman.("Lucy Burns" Women we celebrate n.d.)

Lucy was born in 1879, to a Catholic family in Brooklyn, New York. In 1909, while studying at Oxford College in Cambridge, England, she joined the Women’s Social and Political Union to work for the suffrage movement in Britain. Lucy met Alice Paul in a police station in London, when both were arrested while protesting at Parliament. They became fast friends. The two of them worked together as assistants to Emmeline Pankhurst. Lucy returned to the U.S. in 1912 and joined Paul on the Congressional Committee for the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). ("National Women's history museum" n.d)

Lucy Burns was the co-president of the National Woman’s Party. She was one of the women who would picket in front of the White House, to get President Wilson’s attention. Burns was arrested for obstructing traffic, because she refused to hand the banner to the police. Lucy resisted the law. ("Lucy Burns" Women we celebrate n.d.)

During her six plus times in jail, Lucy took radical stances to have her voice heard. While in jail, Burns refused to wear the prison clothing. She then had all of her outer garments stripped from her by force. She wrapped herself in a blanket. While in jail Lucy was brutally beaten for picketing at the president’s fence. She had her wrists handcuffed above her head all night.("visionaries Lucy Burns(1879-1966) n.d.)

Burns is a hero even more then the movie portrays her to be. She was not constantly with Alice Paul. Lucy was on tour all over the country trying to get women more aware about the suffrage movement.  She was a strong willed, radical, smart, innovative woman. We owe Lucy Burns and Alice Paul so much. 

"Visionaries Lucy Burns (1879-1966)." - Profiles: Selected Leaders of the National Woman's Party. Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/profiles.html>.

"Lucy Burns." SewallBelmont House Museum. Institute of Museums and Libraries Services, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.sewallbelmont.org/womenwecelebrate/lucy-burns/>.

"National Women's History Museum." Education & Resources. NWHM, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/lucy-burns/>.

Doris Stevens

Doris is a suffragist, who plays a minor role in the film. Doris was born in Nebraska and was dedicated to woman's rights. Doris worked as a teacher and social worker in Ohio and Michigan. She then started out working as a regional organizer for the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and eventually found her way to the National Woman’s Party. Doris was arrested for picketing in front of the White House in 1917, but was released 3 days later. In 1920, Doris wrote a book and called Jailed for Freedom. The book is a real life account of the events portrayed on screen in the Iron Jawed Angels film. In the film, the fictional character Ben Weismann actually joked that Doris would write a book about her experiences. she did, and this was her book. Doris was an important role, though minor in the movie. She helped woman start voting and influenced many women to join the NWP. ("suffragist of the month: Doris Stevens", n.d.)

"Suffragist of the Month: Doris Stevens." Suffragist Memorial. Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.suffragistmemorial.org/Suffragist_of_the_Month.html>.

Schlesinger, Arthur, and Elizabeth Schlesinger. "Stevens, Doris, 1888-1963. Papers, 1884-1983 (inclusive), 1920-1960 (bulk): A Finding Aid." Stevens, Doris, 1888-1963. Papers, 1884-1983 (inclusive), 1920-1960 (bulk): A Finding Aid. Doris Stevens Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~sch00378

Ida B. Wells Barnett 

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born on July 16, 1862, in Holly Springs before the close of the Civil War. She was orphaned in 1878 at age 16 when her parents died. They were victims of the yellow fever epidemic. Ida moved to Memphis, Tennessee to live with her aunt after the death of her parents. She witnessed several racial and gender injustices at a young age, which inspired her into becoming an equal rights activist. Ida is best known for her anti-lynching protests and articles, but she was also a participant of the women’s suffrage movement as well. Ida represents a strong character in the film. She represents ALL African American women who participated in woman suffrage. ("About Ida B. Wells", n.d.)

"About Ida B. Wells." Ida B. Wells-Barnett Website. Ida B. Wells Family, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.idabwells.org/index.php?option=com_content>.

"We Shall Overcome -- Ida B. Wells Barnett House." We Shall Overcome -- Ida B. Wells Barnett House. Park Net, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/il2.htm>.

Rose Wenclawska (Rose Winslow)

Rose Winslow was a polish immigrant originally named Ruza Wenclawska. Since the age of 11, rose worked at a textile mill. When Rose was 19 she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Due to her illness, she no longer could work in the factory. Rose began working with the Consumers’ League, Women’s Trade Union League, Woman’s Political Union, and then as a public speaker for the National Woman’s Party (NWP) in an attempt to reach her goal of women having fair treatment within the work environment.("Photographs from the records of the National Woman's Party" 1916)

Rose, like many other suffragists, was imprisoned for picketing at the White House. She was held in the Occoquan Workhouse with other members of the NWP, where she participated in a hunger strike and was consequently force fed under the order of prison authorities. ("Photographs from the records of the National Woman's Party" 1916)

In the film, Rose represents all working class American woman who participated in women suffrage. Rose was far greater in women's suffrage than the film portrays. She was a speaker at many conventions and was a great leader for many women to follow. She was a key player in  the hunger strike. 

"Photographs from the Records of the National Woman's Party." - Profiles: Selected Leaders of the National Woman's Party. Library of Congress, 1916 Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/profiles9.html>.

Carrie Chapman Catt

Carrie Chapman Catt is one of the key coordinators of the woman suffrage movement. She revitalized the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Her most important thing she has done, was the role she played in NAWSA’s successful campaign to win voting rights for women. ("Votes for women: Carrie Chapman Catt" n.d.)

Carrie Chapman Catt was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on January 9, 1859. She graduated from the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm in Ames at the top of her class. After college, she moved to Charles City to work as a law clerk. She also worked as a school teacher and a principal. In 1883, she became one of the first women in the nation appointed superintendent of schools. ("Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home and museum: About Carrie Chapman Catt" n.d.)

She joined the Iowa Woman's Suffrage Association after her first husband died, after only being married for one year.  She was very involved early on in the Iowa Woman Suffrage Association.  Carrie worked as a professional writer and lecturer. After a short period of time, she became the group's recording secretary. For about two years she served as the Iowa association's state organizer.  ("Votes for women: Carrie Chapman Catt" n.d.)

Carrie remarried a man who was very supportive of her suffrage zeal. Mrs. Catt began to work nationally for the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She would do speeches for the association, write for them and performed many other tasks.  She made a name for herself and was one of the leading suffragists. In 1900, she succeeded Susan B. Anthony as NAWSA president. She was the president of NAWSA when President Woodrow Wilson converted to the cause and passed the amendment. 

"Votes for Women: Carrie Chapman Catt." Votes for Women: Carrie Chapman Catt. NAWSA, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/naw/cattbio.html>.

"Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home and Museum: About Carrie Chapman Catt." Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home and Museum: About Carrie Chapman Catt. The National Nineteenth Amendment Society, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.catt.org/ccabout.html>.

Inez Milholland

Inez Milholland was born in Brooklyn on August 6, 1886. She attended Vassar and earned a law degree from New York University in 1912. Inez was very influential! At Vassar, she enlisted 2/3 of her fellow students in the College Equal Suffrage League. Inez was involved in many human rights committees and she did a lot for other people. She became a labor and children’s rights attorney. Later in her life she served as a journalist and correspondent. She worked with the Women’s Trade Union League and the National Child Labor Committee.  Inez traveled with Henry Ford’s “Peace Ship,” Oscar II, to Europe. She volunteered many times near the end of the World War I. ("Photographs from the Records of the National Woman's Party", n.d)

Milholland was recruited to the NAWSA Congressional Committee’s cause because she knew Alice Paul. She proved to be a great speaker and was said to be able to move people with her speeches. She is most famously remembered by being the beauty on the white horse, that led the parades. She led a parade in New York and in Washington D.C. (Gupta, "National Women's HIstory museum" n.d.)

Inez became one of the highest-profile leaders of the CU. She traveled on a speaking schedule to 12 western suffrage states. She ignored warnings from her physician and continued touring, despite her known ill health. Milholland collapsed at the podium while delivering a suffrage speech in Los Angeles in 1916. She was rushed to the hospital. Even though there was possible treatment for pernicious anemia and hope of recovery, she died two weeks later on November 25, 1916. The front-page news shocked the nation and her fellow suffragists. She became a martyr of women suffrage. (Gupta, "National Women's HIstory museum" n.d.)

"Photographs from the Records of the National Woman's Party." - Profiles: Selected Leaders of the National Woman's Party. Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/profiles3.html>.

Gupta, Kristina. "National Women's History Museum." Education & Resources. NWHM, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/inez-milholland-boissevain/>.