The turn of the 20th century served as a catalyst for the women's suffrage movement as their access to higher education expanded, World War I brought them outside the home into factories (typically the man's sphere), and the Progressive Era (1890-1920) began altering society's views about contemporary gender ideas. In fact, women's new roles in the industrial sector and their service in World War I prompted President Woodrow Wilson to exclaim in September of 1918, "This war could not have been fought [...] if it had not been for the services of these women."
The President Woodrow Wilson House's latest novel "Suffrage Outside!" exhibit takes history outside our museum and showcases how women’s work outside the home, the work and leadership of Black women pushed outside the ‘mainstream’ middle-class white women’s movement, protesting outside the White House, public protests outside in the streets, mobilization for war outside the United States as well as alliances with activists outside the United States, collectively propelled the American woman’s suffrage campaign to victory in 1920.
Women adopted a greater role in public life in the early 20th century, which reinvigorated the suffrage movement as it turned toward Washington to accelerate Congress' beleaguered progress to codifying women's right to vote in America. As they waved banners outside the Wilson White House to demand action on suffrage, we hoist banners today to honor their courage and enormous legacy.
In accordance with the District of Columbia's Phase II reopening guidelines, masks will be required at all times throughout the exhibit and the House will institute timed entry policy. SPACE IS LIMITED, so we encourage you to SIGN UP FOR A TIME to secure your spot and learn more about these heroines!
Finding Inspiration in the Suffragists' Work:
If They Can Do It, So Can You!
Anti-suffragist efforts, the "Spanish Flu," World War I - it seemed like everything conspired against these brave women to cement universal American suffrage, but they persevered. It's easy to find inspiration in the stories and work of suffragists - and if they could do it, so can you! COVID-19 may have complicated the voting process, but don't be daunted. Explore below some voting resources and information we've curated to help you vote during this time.
