Alice Paul

This week we honor a woman who was a major force in both the British and American women’s suffrage movements.  Alice Paul was one of the amazing women who organized and lead political campaigns and marches to give women the right to vote. 

Alice Paul began her life as a Quaker in New Jersey, and went on to graduate first in her class in 1901.  From there she went on to Swarthmore College, and then attended the New York School of Philanthropy, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in social work.  Next, she studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where she achieved her Master’s degree in sociology.  In 1907, she moved to London and studied at the University of Birmingham and the London School of Economics.  In 1910 she returned to the United States and once again attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she attained her PhD in political science.

While in London, Paul took part in the radical women’s movement, joining the Woman’s and Social Political Union.  In 1912, back in America, she joined the National American Women’s Suffrage Association and was appointed chair of their Congressional Committee in Washington DC.  In 1916, she and her colleagues formed the National Women’s Party, and through this Paul was able to use some of the campaign tactics she learned in Britain.  In 1917, the NWP staged the first picket at the White House.  Through this and many other protests, Paul successfully helped lead the women of our country to victory, giving women the right to vote.

The life of Alice Paul and her influence in the women’s rights movement was documented in the film Iron Jawed Angels, which the Center for Women will be showing on November 2^nd at 7:00pm in Alumnae Hall (in the HCC).

 

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Paul