iron jawed angels

Alice Paul

Alice Paul

A central figure in the suffrage movement, known for her courage and leadership in organizing protests.

Lucy Burns

Alice Paul's close friend and ally who helped organize the protests.

Carrie Chapman Catt

A more traditional suffragist who focuses on lobbying and working with political leaders.

Inez Milholland

A prominent suffragist who leads parades and advocates for women's rights.

The Suffrage Movement

The movie centers on the struggle of women in the U.S. to gain the right to vote. It shows the suffragists fighting against both public and governmental resistance.

The 1917 Silent Protest

Alice Paul and Lucy Burns organize a picket outside the White House, calling attention to the U.S. government's refusal to grant women the right to vote. It’s one of the first times in history women are protesting directly in front of the White House.

Arrests and Hunger Strikes

Many of the suffragists are arrested for their protests, and they begin hunger strikes to protest their treatment in prison. The movie shows the physical and emotional toll this takes on the women.

The 19th Amendment

Eventually, the persistent activism of Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and others helps secure the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.

Women’s Rights and Equality

The movie explores the idea of gender equality and how women fought for their right to be heard in a male-dominated society.

Activism and Sacrifice

It highlights the sacrifices made by suffragists who were willing to endure physical and emotional suffering for the cause.

Conflict within the Movement

The film shows tensions between different suffrage leaders, like Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt, over strategy. While Alice Paul is more radical, Catt believes in working within the system to achieve change.

Hunger Strikes

a pivotal moment in the movie when the suffragists use their bodies to protest the injustice they face.

March for Women’s Suffrage

a major turning point, where the suffragists publicly demand their rights, even though it’s met with violence and harassment.

“We shall not be denied.”

Alice Paul’s quote

"We are fighting for our country, and we have every right to be heard."

Lucy Burns’ quote

How It Relates to the 19th Amendment

The movie shows how, after years of protests, lobbying, and public outcry, the suffragists finally achieved their goal: the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

The Silent Sentinels Protest (1917)

Alice Paul and her group, known as the Silent Sentinels, begin a continuous protest in front of the White House. This protest is notable because it’s one of the first to target the U.S. government directly. Women were holding up signs that read “How Long Must Women Wait for Liberty?”

The Arrests

Many women were arrested for their protests, including Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. The movie shows how they were jailed under harsh conditions. Alice Paul starts a hunger strike in prison, which leads to her being force-fed.

The Picket Line Incident

In the film, suffragists are physically attacked by angry mobs while protesting outside the White House. This moment shows the public backlash the suffragists faced.

Force-Feeding

Alice Paul is subjected to a brutal procedure called force-feeding, where she is strapped to a chair, and tubes are shoved down her throat. The filmmakers emphasize the cruelty of this practice as a way to break her will, which only strengthens her resolve.

The Role of the Press

The suffragists used the media to their advantage, making sure that their arrests and hunger strikes were covered in newspapers across the country. This helped to gain sympathy for their cause.

Opposition to Women’s Suffrage

Many people, including some women, were opposed to giving women the vote. The film touches on the reasons behind this opposition, including beliefs that women were not capable of making political decisions or that it would undermine traditional gender roles.

President Wilson’s Shift

At the beginning of the movie, President Woodrow Wilson is against the idea of women’s suffrage. However, after the suffragists’ persistent activism, including the force-feeding of Alice Paul, he begins to support the 19th Amendment.

The Suffragist Sashes

The women in the film wear white sashes to symbolize their commitment to the suffrage cause. These sashes become a symbol of their struggle and perseverance.

The Silent Sentinels’ Signs

The women hold signs outside the White House, demanding voting rights. These signs, which often read “How Long Must Women Wait for Liberty?”, are an important visual element in the film.

Setting of the Film

Philadelphia, September 12, 1912

Amount of states women can vote (beginning of film)

9 states

President of the National Women's Suffrage Association

Anna Shaw

Originally petitioned for a suffrage amendment

Susan B Anthony

Alice Paul propose to gain attention for the suffrage movement

Parade in march

Alice Paul's main helper/supporter in Washington

Lucy Burns

Ida Wells proposes

Merge blacks and whites

Why Blacks must be in a separate unit

Don't want to lose southern supporters

state first gave women the right to vote

Wyoming

reporter for the Washington Post will become a supporter?

Ben Weismen

Joins parade uninvited

Ida Wells

suffragists's response to "GO home to your Mother?"

“My mother is here”

arrives at Union Station and wonders why there is no crowd to meet him

President Woodrow Wilson

Paul and Burns meet

President Wilson

published the suffragist to make her views known

Alice Paul

Paul created to raise money to use in lobbying for the suffrage amendment

congressional union

Paul have a conflict with over the type of techniques to be used in the movement

Carrie Cat

As a result of the split between these two women (Alice paul and Carrrie Cat), what does Paul create?

National Womens Party

comes home from France, reluctantly campaigns for suffrage in the West in spite of suffering from severe anemia

Ines Muhallen

major event begins shortly after the 1916 presidential election

WWI

punishment they take due to picketing the white house

They are sent to Occoquan Workhouse for 60-day terms where they suffer poor conditions because they were obstructing traffic

What did Senator Walsh call these women?

Iron Jawed Angels

what two things do the other women do in support of Paul?

hunger strike, sing for her

newest state to enfranchise women

new york

Congress proposed the suffrage amednment…

36 states had to ratify