On this day... Boston February 24, 1919: Download the PDF
In 1919 twenty-two suffragists were arrested in front of the State House for trying to picket President Woodrow Wilson during his visit there.
“It is a most extraordinary thing to arrest women who are making use of their right to petition under… the Constitution.”
– Agnes H. Morey of Brookline, Massachusetts State Chairman of the National Woman’s Party
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- Library of Congress
Picketing the White House
During the administration of Woodrow Wilson suffragists adopted a more militant strategy. For the first time in American history a group of citizens picketed the White House. They endured attacks by angry mobs, and repeated arrests in Washington D.C. The events in Boston on February 24, 1919 would be the only time suffragists picketed and were jailed outside D.C.
Suffragists picket the White House.
- Library of Congress
President Woodrow Wilson.
- Associated Press
During World War I suffragists chided President Wilson for promoting democracy abroad while ignoring the democratic aspirations of American women.
- Library of Congress
Landfall
Returning from the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, President Wilson’s ship anchored in Boston Harbor. Enthusiastic crowds cheered his motorcade as it passed South Station, inched along Summer Street to “Filene’s Corner” (today’s Downtown Crossing) and climbed Park Street to the State House. Suffragists hoped to get his attention by picketing as well as burning his speeches on Boston Common.
State House Protest
From their headquarters at Number 9 Park Street members of the National Woman’s Party planned to greet the President with a demonstration. Before his arrival twenty- two suffragists were arrested in front of the State House for violating a city ordinance limiting gatherings to seven minutes. Only one resisted arrest. Betty Gram of Portland Oregon was lifted into a wagon by policemen as she waved to women on the balcony of the Woman’s Party headquarters.
After arrest, Josephine Collins of Framingham refused to give her name or pay a $5 fine. Along with several others she was held at the Charles Street Jail. After two days she was angered when her brothers paid the fine for her release.
- Framingham History Center.
Katharine A. Morey of Brookline had been arrested in Washington D.C. She was arrested again in Boston during Woodrow Wilson’s visit and was sent to the Charles Street Jail. Her mother Agnes was Massachusetts State Chairman of the National Woman’s Party.
- Library of Congress
Bleak House: Sixteen suffragists were taken to the Charles Street Jail. Some were released against their preference when fines were mysteriously paid by a “Mr. E. J. Howe.”
- Library of Congress
President Wilson and Suffrage
Although responding slowly to the issue, Woodrow Wilson had endorsed a federal woman’s suffrage amendment by 1919. On his return to the United States, after three months in Europe, only eight days were left before Congress adjourned. At that point only one vote was needed in the Senate to pass the amendment and send it to the states for ratification. With a sense of urgency suffragists unsuccessfully pressured Wilson to secure that last vote.