Jailed for Freedom: American Women Win the Vote

by Doris Stevens, Edith Mayo (Introduction), Carol O'Hare (Editor)

A firsthand account of the National Woman’s Party, which organized and fought a fierce battle for passage of the 19th Amendment. The suffragists endured hunger strikes, forced feedings, and jail terms. First written in 1920 by Doris Stevens, this version was edited by Carol O’Hare. Includes an introduction by Smithsonian curator Edith Mayo, along with appendices, an index, historic photos, and illustrations.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Feminism, Historical, Womens, Politics, American History

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

Reviews

[Abby Outterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading because I saw the musical Suffs on Broadway and wanted to learn the history it was based on. The introduction explained that this account would only give the story of one branch of suffrage advocacy, leaving out other parts of the story- still, I appreciated the level of detail included here, including excerpts of speeches and letters and articulations of strategy, especially regarding silent picketing and hunger strikes. I finished the book on Election Day, November 2024, after voting for (I hope), the USA’s first woman president.

[Meg Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

American women certainly didn't "win" the vote - they earned it. And I don't mean you and me. I mean the tight group of courageous women (which most of us today can't even name) portrayed in this book who spent literally decades being persecuted, jailed, beaten and self-starved in hunger strikes just so we double-Xs could have a voice in our own government. While the subject matter itself is overwhelmingly amazing, the book is a definite roller-coaster ride of genius and mediocrity. That being said, at the very least, PLEASE watch the HBO movie "Iron Jawed Angels" with Hilary Swank, Julia Ormond, et. al (AMAZING cast)--which is a powerful and accurate account of factual events. You will sing the praises of these women til the day you die - as I do.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

It is my sincere hope that you will understand and appreciate the martyrdom involved, for it was the conscious voluntary gift of beautiful, strong and young hearts.

Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God. (Revolutionary maxim)

"They WILL do something about it if only we continue to make them uncomfortable enough." (Alice Paul, suffragist leader)

The purpose of the procession was to dramatize in numbers and beauty the fact that women wanted to vote... What politicians had not been able to get through their minds we would give them through their eyes--often a powerful substitute.

"Those who hold power are responsible to the country for the use of it. They are responsible not only for what they do, but for what they do not do." (Lucy Burns)

No more questions on mother and home! No swan song on the passing of charm and womanly loveliness! Only agile scrambling by each committee member to ask with eagerness and some heat, "Well, if this amendment has not passed Congress by then, what will you do in the elections of 1916?"

Nothing like suffrage for women must be allowed to rock the ship even slightly! Oh, no indeed; it was men's business to keep the nation out of war. Men never had shown marked skill at keeping nations out of war in the history of the world. But never mind! Logic must not be pressed too hard upon the "reasoning" sex.

"It is women for women now and shall be until the fight is won! Together we shall stand shoulder to shoulder for the greatest principle the world had ever known, the right of self-government... We are bound to win. There never has been a fight yet where interest was pitted against principle that principle did not triumph!" (Inez Milholland)

"We are here today to pay tribute to Inez Millholland... who was our comrade. Let our tribute be no words which pass, nor song which flies, nor flower which fades. Let it be this: that we finish the task she could not finish; that with new strength we take up the struggle in which fighting beside us she fell; that with new faith we here consecrate ourselves to the cause of woman's freedom until the cause is won." (Maud Younger speaking at Inez Milholland's memorial)

"There is only one cause for which it is right to risk health and life. No price is too high to pay for liberty. So long as lives of women are required, these lives will be given." (resolution to President Wilson upon Inez Milholland's death)

[Hanako · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I stopped taking history after high school, most of the history I've read was written relatively recently reflecting back on the past. Something I LOVED about this book is that it was published in 1920 at the time the movement was happening - the perspectives and attitudes (i.e. racism) represent the the climate at the time of the movement which I found really interesting. It is written by Doris Stevens who was an active participant in the movement.

I'm also fairly ignorant about American Women's Suffrage, so I really enjoyed learning about it in much more detail. So many things said about the women's suffrage movement by President Wilson, Senators and journalists you could plop into today's world and it would be about the Black Lives Matter movement. The similarities are truly astonishing. I would highly recommend this book.

Bonus - if you don't mind hard coded page numbers and small typos in the text you can get this book for free on Kindle.

[Cindy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most inspiring historical account of the suffrage movement and women earning the right to vote.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes this book so unique is that it is not a biography or a historical reflection of women’s suffrage, but a firsthand testimony from a suffragist, Doris Stevens. She was on the frontlines of this epic struggle, attending pickets, rallying support, and even spending time in jail for her actions. While her narrative was occasionally bogged down with bipartisan bickering, her testimony of life in a workhouse and in jail, hunger strikes, and demonstrations were captivating. I never realized how brutally these women were treated! Additionally, Ms. Stevens really painted President Wilson in a very bad light. The way he handled the suffrage movement was cowardly and rather disgraceful.

The Hard Press edition I ordered from Amazon was awkwardly structured and I’m curious as to the reason it was published in this format. I don’t know if the typographical errors and page breaks were based on Ms. Steven’s original manuscript. Regardless, it was a remarkable account of the immense endeavor to achieve women’s right to vote in America and Ms. Steven’s gives a voice to the thousands of women who represented this cause.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Doris Stevens' writing style is not exceptional, she more than makes up for simple sentence structure by writing the truth, from her heart, with depth and clarity. Details of the inner workings of the National Woman's Party during their militant campaign for suffrage in the 1910's are explained so that any reader, with any political understanding, can comprehend and sympathize with the suffragists. Horrendous jail conditions, police beatings, and forced feedings paint a detailed picture of the suffering these activists endured. Their frustration with the administration and the inaction of President Wilson is explained and illustrated time and time again, and quotes from other suffragists, the President, government officials, and even antisuffragists are used to express and clarify Stevens' account of the political drama.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so informative. I was inspired to pick it up after the musical Suffs has been living in my brain for the past couple months.

Reading this made think a lot about biases presented in stories. I thought back to what I learned in history classes vs what this book is saying. Additionally, the added context given by the editor is so vital to know when reading about women’s suffrage. I’m so glad it is included. But even then, I want to know more! It’s a great reminder that you should always be suspicious of what you’re reading, because the point of view may not be truly representative of everything happening.

In all of these considerations, I’m even more impressed with what Shaina Taub was able to craft based on the story of (white) woman’s suffrage. Truly inspiring.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. Very, very detailed in its descriptions of the actions of the government administration and how the women worked to combat it. Really presses onto you just how much physically violent opposition these women faced - I was horrified, really horrified. These women were beaten, tortured, unlawfully imprisoned, etc. I was surprised, because though I came into this with the expectation that the English women were more "militant" (having read about them first, and knowing that the American suffragists were inspired by the WSPU), but, despite that, though I think the claim of greater militancy may not be true after reading this, the American women faced much more brutal violence, longer sentences, worse conditions in prison, and greater cruelty. Shocking. But then, it is America, after all... Also, after reading this, never will I be able to stand someone saying women were "given" the vote in America (or England). No, women fought for it tooth and nail, till they were bloodied and exhausted, and till some of them had died, and even further, and eventually they tore the right from the Government by the skin of their teeth. Also, unlike the English suffragettes, the American suffragists didn't really ever even break the law! The English suffragettes didn't at first but were still imprisoned, but later they broke some windows and did similar actions, but the American suffragettes basically only ever picketed (legally!!! it's a constitutional right!!!) and were imprisoned for upwards to seven months for this in sham trials.

Also, my copy has 388 pages, not 2xx. There's a long appendix.

"The Chief Food Administrator would continue to demand sacrifices of women throughout the war, but he would not give so much as a thought to their rights in return. Mr. [Herbert] Hoover was the only important man in public life who steadfastly refused to see our representatives. After announcing his candidacy for nomination to the Presidency he authorized his secretary to write us a letter saying he had always been for woman suffrage." (266) Ha. Of course.

...

"Eighty-three per cent of the Republicans voting on the measure, voted in favor of it, while only fifty per cent of the Democrats voting, voted for it. Even after the Republicans had pledged their utmost strength, more than two-thirds of their membership, votes were still lacking to make up the Democratic deficiency, and the President's declaration that the measure ought to pass the House, produced them from his own party." (250-1) And this trend continued throughout - the Democrats were most against passing a women's suffrage amendment. It's interesting. And you've got to wonder how much of it was due to the way that the suffragists were opposing the Democrats as the party in power. Not all of it, surely.

...

It was a clear starry night in March when the picket line of 25 women proceeded with tri-colored banners from New York headquarters in Forty-first street to the Opera House. As we neared the corner of the street opposite the Opera House and before we could cross the street a veritable battalion of policemen in close formation rushed us with unbelievable ferocity. Not a word was spoken by a single officer of the two hundred policemen in the attack to indicate the nature of our offense. Clubs were raised and lowered and the women beaten back with such cruelty as none of us had ever witnessed before.

The women clung to their heavy banner poles, trying to keep the banners above the maelstrom. But the police seized them, tore the pennants, broke the poles, some of them over our backs, trampled them underfoot, pounded us, dragged us, and in every way behaved like frantic beasts. It would have been so simple quietly to detain our little handful until after the President’s speech, if that seemed necessary. But to launch this violent attack under the circumstances was madness. Not a pedestrian had paid any except friendly attention to this slender file of women. But the moment this happened an enormous crowd gathered, made up mostly of soldiers and sailors, many of whom had just returned from abroad and were temporarily thronging the streets of New York. They joined forces with the police in the attack.

Miss Margaretta Schuyler, a beautiful, fragile young girl, was holding fast a silken American flag which she had carried at the head of the procession when a uniformed soldier jumped upon her, twisted her arms until she cried in pain, cursed, struggled until he had torn her flag from its pole, and then broke the pole across her head, exulting in his triumph over his frailer victim.

When I appealed to the policemen, who was at the moment occupied solely with pounding me on the back, to intercept the soldier in his cruel attack, his only reply was: “Oh, he’s helping me.” He thereupon resumed his beating of me and I cried “Shame, shame! Aren’t you ashamed to beat American women in this brutal way?” I offered no other resistance. “If we are breaking any law, arrest us! Don’t beat us in this cowardly fashion!”

“We’ll rush you like bulls,” was his vulgar answer, “we’ve only just begun.”

Another young woman, an aviatrice, was seized by the coat collar and thrown to the pavement for trying to keep hold of her banner. Her fur cap was the only thing that saved her skull from serious injury. As it was, she was trampled under foot and her face severely cut before we could rescue her with the assistance of a sympathetic member of the crowd. The sympathetic person was promptly attacked by the police-man for helping his victim to her feet. There were many shouts of disapproval of the police conduct and many cheers for the women from the dense crowd.

By this time the crowd had massed itself so thickly that we could hardly move any inch. It was perfectly apparent that we could neither make our way to the Opera House nor could we extricate ourselves. But the terrors continued. Women were knocked down and trampled under foot, some of them almost unconscious, others bleeding from the hands and face; arms were bruised and twisted; pocketbooks were snatched and wrist-watches stolen.

When it looked as if the suffocating melee would result in the death or permanent injury to some of us, I was at last dragged by a policeman to the edge of the crowd. Although I offered not the slightest resistance, I was crushed continuously in the arm by the officer who walked me to the police station, and kept muttering: “You’re a bunch of cannibals,—cannibals,—Bolsheviks.”

Upon arriving at the police station I was happily relieved to find five of my comrades already there. We were all impartially cursed at; told to stand up; told to sit down; forbidden to speak to one another; forbidden even to smile at one another. One by one we were called to the desk to give our name, age, and various other pieces of information. We stood perfectly silent before the station lieutenant as he coaxingly said, “You’d better tell.”—”You’d better give us your name.”—”You’d better tell us where you live—it will make things easier for you.” But we continued our silence.

Disorderly conduct, interfering with the police, assaulting the police (Shades of Heaven! Assaulting the police!), were the charges entered against us.

We were all locked in separate cells and told that we would be taken to the Woman’s Night Court for immediate trial.
[...]
In about half an hour we were taken from our cells and brought before the Lieutenant, who now announced, “Well, you ladies may go now,—I have just received a telephone order to release you.”
[...]
The meeting thus broken up, we abandoned a further attempt that night. As our little, bannerless procession filed slowly back to headquarters, hoodlums followed us. The police of course gave us no protection and just as we were entering the door of our own building a rowdy struck me on the side of the head with a heavy banner pole. The blow knocked me senseless against the stone building; my hat was snatched from my head, and burned in the street. We entered the building to find that soldiers had been periodically rushing it in our absence, dragging out bundles of our banners, amounting to many hundreds of dollars, and burning them in the street, without any protest from the police.

One does not undergo such an experience without arriving at some inescpabale truths, a discussion fo which would interest me deeply but which would be irrelevant in this narrative.” Oh, but I would love to hear it! What is it? Women have no idea of how much men hate them? (331-335)

...

“In the light of the President’s gradual yielding and final surrender to our demand, it will not be out of place to summarize briefly just what happened.

President Wilson began his career as President of the United States an anti-suffragist. He was opposed to suffrage for women both by principle and political expediency. Sometimes I think he regarded suffragists as a kind of sect—good women, no doubt, but tiresome and troublesome. Whether he has yet come to see the suffrage battle as part of a great movement embracing the world is still a question. It is not an important question, for in any case it was not inward conviction but political necessity that made him act. [A very important point to remember.]”
(337)

…

“It seems to me that Woodrow Wilson was neither devil nor God in his manner of meeting the demand of the suffragists. There has persisted an astounding myth that he is an extraordinary man. Our experience proved the contrary. He behaved toward us like a very ordinary politician. Unnecessarily cruel or weakly tolerant, according as you view the justice of our fight, but a politician, not a statesman. He did not go out to meet the tide which he himself perceived was “rising to meet the moon.” That would have been statesmanship. He let it all but engulf him before he acted. And even as a politician he failed, for his tactics resulted in the passage of the amendment by a Republican Congress.” (340)

...

"That women have been aroused never again to be content with their subjection there can be no doubt. That they will ultimately secure for themselves equal power and responsibility in whatever system of government is evolved is positive. How revolutionary will be the changes when women get this opwer and responsibility no one can adequately foretell. One thing is certain. They will not go back. They will never again be good and willing slaves.

It has been a long, wearying struggle. Although drudgery has persisted throughout, there have been compensatory moments of great joy and beauty. The relief that comes after a great achievement is sweet. There is no residue of bitterness. To be sure, women have often resented it deeply that so much human energy had to be expended for so simple a right. But whatever disillusionments they have experienced, they have kept their faith in women. And the winning of political power by women will have enormously elevated their status." (342-3)

[Marilyn Pronovost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a primary source narrative of the enactment of the 19th Amendment and the courage of the women who daily picketed outside the White House, opened themselves to ridicule and physical violence, were arrested for no viable charges, jailed when they chose not to pay fines, went on hunger strikes and were force fed. Despite all of this they persevered.

President Wilson comes across as a politician who only provided encouragement when it was politically expedient to do so; otherwise, he let it flounder. Only when he was embarrassed or politically assailed did he act.

Women who followed the suffragettes need to remember the sacrifices of these women and never forget because we can easily let see our Ishtar if we fail to remain vigilant.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The section titled "The President Appeals to the Senate" is nearly unlistenable due to the narrator's inability to place the accent on the proper syllable of many words. Librivox really should redo this chapter. Fortunately, this is the only chapter read by this narrator, but WOW! is this awful to listen to.

Otherwise, the book is well done and the story is both horrifying and inspiring. I hadn't realized how much abuse the Suffragist endured in their struggle to enfranchise the women of the U.S.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all time favorite books. It is so easy to take for granted the hard-earned privilege we enjoy that is the right to vote; this book is a beautiful reminder of the story of some of those women who fought for and earned this right for generations to come. I bought this book after watching (and loving) the movie Iron Jawed Angels. When I learned one of the main characters had written a firsthand account of some of those pivotal moments leading up to the passage of the 19th amendment, I decided to read this book. It is a truly a great read!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book totally blew me away! I didn't realize how long the suffrage movement took, and I certainly hadn't connected the Democratic Administration as opposition. My history classes in high school NEVER talked about it except to say we (women) were 'given' the right to vote in the 19th Amendment.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally read this longer unedited version of Jailed For Freedom for my book club. To hear about the suffrage movement from a direct source and read personal accounts of picketers who went to jail for their cause made history feel real and present. But I do understand why the more widely read version has been edited down quite a bit.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a book I wanted to read, to pass down to my girls about the suffrage amendment. It's a factual account of the whole movement, written by one of the women who was wrongly jailed for picketing. Definitely an important book, but a little hard to read at times.

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud the courage of the women who unceasingly campaigned for my right to vote and am disgusted by the men who tried to block it.

This is an intense book and more than I can handle emotionally and was therefore unable to finish.

[Rosie D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many books on the subject and this was by far the best in terms of accuracy and writing. The facts and events were amazing and the prose an easy read. I used this to research my novel A Song for Ana.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-edited work that weeds out a lot of the legalese and minutae that made for hard reading and leaves the stories to stand out. see also Iron-Jawed angels in my Netflix queue

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is about the war, ladies. We need to remember

[Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indignation was swift and hot.

[Karen]

Cspan First Ladies Series: Dolly Madison

[Merryellen Towey Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important tbook all women and girls should read.

[FMLDNR · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good and important book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an eyewitness account of activities of the so-called militant branch of the suffrage movement that ultimately obtained the passage and ratification of the Susan B. Anthony (19th) amendment prohibiting the restriction of suffrage (voting) based on gender. At the point at which the narrative begins, the women suffrage movement has been going on for nearly 70 years and is stalled. The leaders that started the movement have died, the older members are still politely lobbying, and the younger generation, fresh from seeing (and participating in) suffrage movements in Europe, are eager to see it through. Their spirited activism, with smartly calculated political and tactical maneuverings, are outlined by Doris Stevens who was herself an active participant. It is impressive to see the amount of thought and planning that was put into their activities and the justification for and historical perspective of some of their more radical actions, such as hunger strikes. These women were no amateurs - they were well educated, trained, and prepared for the battle. If the author sounds a little enamored of a certain male lawyer who assisted them, it might be because she was, as he was her future husband. Do go through the list of over 100 women who were subjected to terrible jail conditions, including beatings, exposure to disease, and psychological and physical torture. Men did not give us the vote - these women fought for it and won it and we should be forever grateful to these Silent Sentinels. I did appreciate the author's dry sense of humor regarding the male politicians they had to deal with and her gleefulness at some of the stupid statements (as she put it "gems") they made during the debate over the amendment. I think I would have personally really like Doris Stevens.

[cvtherin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh, this book was wild.

I first learned about this book from the HBO film, Iron Jawed Angels. And after becoming obsessed with suffragist history and listening to the director's commentary, I finally got my hands on this book.

It's not necessarily an easy read. At times, it's frustrating and maddening both because of the material and what the women went through (illegal arrests, beatings, and psychological and physical trauma). This is a first-hand account of suffragist, Doris Stevens and she painstakingly recorded her experiences throughout the years it took - essentially Wilson's entire administration - to win the vote.

Because of this, there was also a lot of political discussion like the politicians in favor or opposition, the amount of votes needed to get the bill to the floor, and the constant pandering, "nagging", and picketing it took to get President Wilson to do something when he clearly didn't want to.

The writing can be rather dry at times but there are also plenty of times where Stevens' dry wit shows through as well.

I also liked the editor's addition of black suffragists, even if it was at the end discussing notable women - I would have also liked if they had added in that *all* women did not, in fact, get the right to vote; but that's a critique more for the editor than Stevens.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, that what most of us know about women’s suffrage in American, is that women got the right to vote in 1920. This story is written by one of the women involved in this movement. I think most readers will be shocked at the treatment these women received in American. That their right to vote came later then countries whose governments were not based on liberty and rule of the people. That there is a state in this country who did not ratify women’s right to vote until 1984. A book I wish all would read. So many get angry at people who peaceably assemble to bring awareness to issues of Liberty. Who picket, criticize leaders, take a knee, or hold signs. But are you sure that if you were denied what you believed was your right that you would protest in such a peaceable manor. The actions of our forefathers shows that they had no interest in peaceable protest in order gain what they believed was their rights. Why is it that those who value freedom and self rule so much for themselves choose to so ruthlessly deny freedoms of others. It is the great hypocrisy of American history.

[Sugarpuss O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've lost count of how many books I've read about women's suffrage. This book is my favorite. (I also highly recommend Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait? and The Woman's Hour.) It's written by Doris Stevens, a woman on the front lines with Alice Paul and the National Women's Party, fighting the Federal government to grant women the right to vote. The stories of the women imprisoned for picketing are gutwrenching. These women are heroes who deserve to be honored & remembered. I, for one, will never forget them, and I will NEVER take my right to vote for granted again. Thank you, Doris.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew the details of the suffering the women went through that this book reveals. The women were accused of starting riots and breaking laws. However, it appears that many of the riots that took place were started by people who were paid. Even law enforcement agencies were paying these individuals to instigate trouble which the women were blamed and jailed for. President Woodrow Wilson abandoned the women and turned his back when he could have done more to grant the women the right to vote. I was horrified to read details of what the women endured and how eventually the right for women to vote was passed. The book is well worth reading.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

BTS 12. For some reason Goodreads says I have read this book 6 times, not true. This is not an easy read as it was published in 1920. Nevertheless, an important read. If you’re not familiar with the entire story of the 19th amendment I would recommend starting with this title and continuing with The Woman’s Hour (previously reviewed). As a history teacher I have long blasted the way history books give credit for the amendment to President Wilson. This historical account painfully details why I make this argument.

[Cedar Grove Public Library]

This is a non-fiction story about the suffragists and their fight to win the vote for women - told by the women who were on the front lines. While I was interested initially since this book is the basis for the musical Suffs, I'm glad I picked it up, since it's still so relevant. The horrors they went through to make a difference for their future was a defining moment for this country and I think more people would benefit from getting this side of the story. A fantastic read for first-hand knowledge and a great mirror to the current political climate. - JL 8/7/24

[Perry Whitford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inside story of the role the militant suffragists played in bringing about the vote through a campaign of targeted harassment aimed at President Wilson. They wouldn't leave the poor fellow alone!

Stevens begins her account with brief biographies of two of the key figures in the fight for female suffrage.

Susan B. Anthony was 'fhe first militant suffragist' who fought for both female emancipation and the end of slavery. Somehow she managed to vote in the 1872 election, whereupon she was arrested and tried. She had no support in Washington and adopted a smart strategy away from federal to state level. Although she died before her life's work was complete the successful amendment, when it was eventually passed in 1920, carried her name.

Alice Paul, who learnt militant tactics in England under the Pankhursts, founded the Nation Woman's Party and took the fight back to Washington in 1913. She was the leader of the cause and clearly an extraordinary woman. This is how Stevens describes her winning personality: 'Aiming primarily at the intellect of an audience or an individual, she almost never fails to win an emotional allegiance.'

It's also worth highlighting Inez Milholland, who led the suffragists first march on Washington 1913, cutting a striking figure on a white horse. She became a martyr when she died delivering a speech a few years later, her last words were, "Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?"

After that initial march, the militant suffragists focused on the very public picketing of President Wilson at the gates of the White House. As Steven's readily admits, 'we enjoyed irritating them.' He didn't really know what to make of it. He spoke with them and professed support, but the president's timetable was never as urgent as theirs, especially after WWI broke out.

The first arrests of the 'Silent Sentinels' took place, ironically enough, on Independence Day, July 4, 1917. Steven's own description is well worth quoting at some length:

'It is the occasion for two demonstrations in the name of liberty. Champ Clark, late Democratic speaker of the House, is declaiming to a cheering crowd behind the White House, "Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." In front of the White House thirteen silent sentinels with banners bearing the same words, are arrested. It would have been exceedingly droll if it had not been so tragic. Champ Clark and his throng were not molested. The women with practically a deserted street were arrested and served jail terms for "obstructing traffic."'

More arrests followed. Then the authorities started to send the pickitters to the Occoquan Workhorse. Alice Paul was sentenced to seven months. The suffragists went on a hunger strike and were forcefed. On November 14, 1917, known as the "Night of Terror," they were beaten and abused. Stevens gives a full account of it.

While all this was going on suffragists were applying constant pressure on Congress to pass the amendment. Their political opponents used every trick in the book to stall it. When America finally entered the war Wilson said that it had to wait, there wasn't any time for issues not directly relevant to the war effort. Is that so?:

'The special session of the 65th Congress, known as the "War Congress," adjourned in October, 1917, having passed every measure recommended as a war measure by the President.
In addition, it found time to protect by law migratory birds, to appropriate forty-seven million dollars for deepening rivers and harbors, and to establish more federal judgeships ... Week after week Congress met only for three days, and then often merely for prayer and a few hours of purposeless talking.'

Politicians have always had a different idea about what constitutes hard work than the rest of us.

As mentioned earlier, for the militant suffragists it was all about President Wilson. All their actions - the banners, the picketing, the burning of effigies - were all aimed at him personally. They felt that he was evasive, didn't really believe in the cause, despite passing himself off as the world's bastion of democracy. He called the suffrage movement the "tide rising to meet the moon," a gnomic statement for sure.

But Steven's seemed to think that he could do what he wanted, that he could compel the Senate, including the Republican side, to vote through any measure he supported. Maybe he could have done? That sounds more like the actions of an autocrat though, not a democrat.

She also gave scant regard to the influence of the less militant suffragists who kept up friendly relations with Wilson. The important role women played in the war effort in changing the climate for the suffrage movement is also ignored. For Steven's it was all about their standoff with the president, without it the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution would never have been passed.

I don't know if that's true or not, I suspect it's a highly partisan oversimplification. No matter, this is the story of a remarkable set of women who had the courage of their convictions and deserve nothing but praise and thanks. Stevens has a lot of detail to get through, but she managed to find room for some wry humour along the way.