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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Suffragist of the Month: Blanche Ames (1878–1969)


Blanche Ames (1878–1969):   Download the PDF


A woman of many accomplishments, Blanche Ames was a suffragist, artist, inventor, and creator of suffrage cartoons.

Blanche Ames - Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University
Blanche Ames
- Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University

Ames Family
Tree Blanche Ames was the daughter (and biographer) of Civil War general Adelbert Ames, who also served as Reconstruction Governor of Mississippi. One grandfather was the colorful Benjamin Butler, a Civil War general and later Governor of Massachusetts. Her husband, Harvard Professor Oakes Ames, was not related but inherited a significant fortune from the Ames Shovel Company. Best-selling author George Plimpton was a grandson.

Blanche married Oakes Ames, who became Professor of Botany at Harvard, director of the Harvard Botanical Museum and Arnold Arboretum. Oakes Ames supported equal rights for women as did his father, former Governor Oliver Ames. - Portrait by Blanche Ames

Blanche married Oakes Ames, who became Professor of Botany at Harvard, director of the Harvard Botanical Museum and Arnold Arboretum. Oakes Ames supported equal rights for women as did his father, former Governor Oliver Ames.
- Portrait by Blanche Ames

George Plimpton

George Plimpton

Benjamin Butler - Library of Congress

Benjamin Butler 
-  Library of Congress

Adelbert Ames - National Archives

Adelbert Ames
-  National Archives

Blanche Ames designed the “Borderland” mansion after becoming frustrated with the architect. The 2019 murder mystery “Knives Out” was filmed at the house. Currently the property is a Massachusetts state park. - Borderland State Park, Mass.gov
Blanche Ames designed the “Borderland” mansion after becoming frustrated with the architect. The 2019 murder mystery “Knives Out” was filmed at the house. Currently the property is a Massachusetts state park.
-  Borderland State Park, Mass.gov

Arts and Sciences
Majoring in Art History at Smith College, Blanche Ames had ambitions to be a professional artist. She would create portraits, scientifically accurate botanical drawings, and suffrage cartoons. She received four patents for inventions including a World War II device designed to jam propellers of enemy planes. She also designed the mansion at Borderland, her estate in North Easton, as well as a system of dams and ponds for drainage on the 1,200 acre property.

Campaigning for Suffrage
Blanche Ames became art editor for the Boston-based Woman’s Journal, the country’s leading suffragist publication. Efforts to support a Nov. 1915 Massachusetts suffrage referendum included an organizing meeting at Borderland on Jan. 13, 1915, but Blanche expected the meeting to be cancelled when she woke to a foot of snow. She was thrilled to see 38 women trudging through the snow to hear her speak and make plans. That group organized and held 49 suffrage events in less than one year. Unfortunately, the referendum failed.


 

The Suffrage Cartoons of Blanche Ames

Both the Woman’s Journal and Boston Transcript featured cartoons by Blanche Ames. These were created as part of a campaign to promote passage of the referendum for women’s suffrage in Massachusetts in November 1915. The referendum failed and women in Massachusetts did not obtain the vote until the adoption of the 19th Amendment in August 1920. - Blanche Ames. Mass Humanities
Both the Woman’s Journal and Boston Transcript featured cartoons by Blanche Ames. These were created as part of a campaign to promote passage of the referendum for women’s suffrage in Massachusetts in November 1915. The referendum failed and women in Massachusetts did not obtain the vote until the adoption of the 19th Amendment in August 1920.
-  Blanche Ames. Mass Humanities
Woman Suffrage Flowers. Uncle Sam should “Prune away Prejudice” with the tools of logic, education, and truth. Suffrage is flowering in several western states while a caterpillar threatens suffrage flowers in the east. Woman’s Journal, May 22, 1915.
Woman Suffrage Flowers
 Uncle Sam should “Prune away Prejudice” with the tools of logic, education, and truth. Suffrage is flowering in several western states while a caterpillar threatens suffrage flowers in the east. 

- Woman’s Journal, May 22, 1915
This cartoon shows Faneuil Hall (the “Cradle of Liberty”) being enlarged to accommodate girls as well as boys.
The New Cradle
 This cartoon shows Faneuil Hall (the “Cradle of Liberty”) being enlarged to accommodate girls as well as boys.
- Boston Transcript, Boston American Suffrage Supplement, April 17, 1915
This cartoon mocks President Taft’s opposition to voting by women. It contrasts progressive reforms in states that established women’s suffrage with unaddressed national problems like sweat shops and disease.
Taft puts his foot down on Suffrage
 This cartoon mocks President Taft’s opposition to voting by women. It contrasts progressive reforms in states that established women’s suffrage with unaddressed national problems like sweat shops and disease. Woman’s Journal, June 5, 1915 and September 18, 1915
Anti-suffrage groups including some women, political bosses, and liquor interests try to hold back progress toward suffrage. “Reardon” (the dog) was an anti-suffragist state representative and Treasurer of the Anti-Suffrage League.
Anti-Allies and the Dog
Anti-suffrage groups including some women, political bosses, and liquor interests try to hold back progress toward suffrage. “Reardon” (the dog) was an anti-suffragist state representative and Treasurer of the Anti-Suffrage League.
- Woman’s Journal, October 2, 1915
This image contrasts “Sham Chivalry,” that puts women on a pedestal while denying equal rights, with the pedestal of “Justice” and “Equal Suffrage.” The question “Which will the Voters choose For Woman on Nov. 2nd “ refers to an unsuccessful 1915 suffrage referendum in Massachusetts. Boston Transcript, September, 1915
Two Pedestals
This image contrasts “Sham Chivalry,” that puts women on a pedestal while denying equal rights, with the pedestal of “Justice” and “Equal Suffrage.” The question “Which will the Voters choose For Woman on Nov. 2nd “ refers to an unsuccessful 1915 suffrage referendum in Massachusetts. Boston Transcript, September, 1915
- Massachusetts Archives
The Next Rung. The woman is climbing the ladder of progress as “Injustice” and “Prejudice” try to hold her back. “Education” and “Property” ownership help but “Votes of Women” will bring “True Democracy.”
The Next Rung. The woman is climbing the ladder of progress as “Injustice” and “Prejudice” try to hold her back. “Education” and “Property” ownership help but “Votes of Women” will bring “True Democracy.”
- Woman’s Journal, November 20, 1915
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