Inez: The Life and Times of Inez Milholland

by Linda J. Lumsden

Inez Milholland was the most glamorous suffragist of the 1910s and a fearless crusader for women’s rights. Moving in radical circles, she agitated for social change in the prewar years, and she epitomized the independent New Woman of the time. Her death at age 30 while stumping for suffrage in California in 1916 made her the sole martyr of the American suffrage movement. Her death helped inspire two years of militant protests by the National Woman’s Party, including the picketing of the White House, which led in 1920 to ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. Lumsden’s study of this colorful and influential figure restores to history an important link between the homebound women of the 19th century and the iconoclastic feminists of the 1970s.

Genres: Biography, Feminism, History, Nonfiction, Gender, Read For School

280 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire Inez Milholland more than I can say, but I think I would have found her exhausting to interact with in person. Despite her early death, Inez lived a full, exhilarating life that was a whirlwind of social justice reforms. A crusader for unions, socialism, racial equality, sexual revolution, prison reform, peace, and of course women’s rights. Inez’ career as a lawyer and war correspondent was an interesting exploration of the new fields opening up to women in the early 20th century, but who were still constrained by many patriarchal limitations. The book was a fascinating personality study (though I believe the author must have been paid extra for every time she wrote the phrase “New Woman” - it was a little reductive to reduce Inez to that fictionalized image).

Reading books like this it is always amazing how much history connects - Inez’s father was friends with reformers like Mary Church Terrell and WEB Dubois. Inez herself was briefly engaged to Guglielmo Marconi, the radio inventor. Her eventual husband, Eugen Jan Boissevain, was so great - I love how supportive he was of Inez when she struggled with self doubt. While I was a bit familiar with Inez’ suffrage activities, it was still insane to read through the punishing schedule of her final speaking tour, she somehow carried on despite being very sick with anemia, which ultimately killed her after she collapsed onstage at a speech in Los Angeles.

The banner she carried at the 1913 DC Suffrage march sums up her progressive credo well: “Forward out of error / Leave behind the night. / Forward through the darkness, / Forward into light!”

Some quotes:
"I couldn't stop Inez any more than one could stop the lightning." (Her mother Jean)

"I am what you would call a hooligan." - Emmeline Pankhurst, radical British suffragist

Inez, during 1913 suffrage parade: "You men ought to be ashamed of yourselves, standing there idly and permitting this sort of thing to continue. If you have a particle of backbone you will come out here and help us to continue our parade."

Speeches by Inez:
- "Suffrage for women is a gift of no one to confer, it is a right!"
- “I don't like this world as it is, do you? There are too many little sad-eyed children in it; too many unfulfilled hopes; too many weary minds and bodies; too many souls that die before the body dies."
- “This is the time to demonstrate our sisterhood, our spirit, our blithe courage, and our will. It is women for women now, and shall be until the fight is won."

Maud Younger's Eulogy: "She went into battle, a laugh on her lips. Obstacles inspired her, discouragement urged her on. She loved work and she loved battle. She loved life and laughter and light, and above all else, she loved liberty."

[S. Wigget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful biography about an iconic suffragist who died for the cause. That's why Alice Paul and her colleagues turned militant in 1917--the Silent Sentinels were the first White House picketers.

I also just watched a 15-minute documentary about Inez Milholland--it's called _Inez Milholland: Forward into Light_ by Martha Wheelock and produced by Wild West Women. It's a DVD that I ordered from National Women's History Alliance. I'm also waiting for a book called _Remembering Inez: The Last Campaign of Inez Milholland, Suffrage Martyr_.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written biography of the glamorous suffragette of the early 20th century who was infinitely dedicated to her cause for freedom and upholding the ideal of the New Woman when it was difficult to produce successfully by all women committed to it.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inez Millholland is my heroe. This is the ONLY book about her life.

[Jeff Platsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A monumental retelling of the plights of one of the forgotten heroes of the suffragette movement. A well written tale of how a well to do female from the Adirondacks rose to lead the movement that gained women the right to vote. Full disclosure: the author is a dear friend.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of great information about the suffrage movement and this woman whom I didn't anything about. A little dryly written, but 3.5