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How the Spanish Flu Almost Upended Women's Suffrage How the Spanish Flu Almost Upended Women's Suffrage
(8 days later)
— A suffragist quoted in the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 1918— A suffragist quoted in the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 1918
One hundred years have passed since the 19th Amendment was ratified and added to the Constitution. The year 2020 was meant to be one of celebration and commemoration. Then the pandemic came. Centennial plans ground to a halt and events were scrapped as an extraordinary era of social distancing was ushered in.One hundred years have passed since the 19th Amendment was ratified and added to the Constitution. The year 2020 was meant to be one of celebration and commemoration. Then the pandemic came. Centennial plans ground to a halt and events were scrapped as an extraordinary era of social distancing was ushered in.
Except, it had all happened before, during the Spanish flu, which arrived in 1918 and complicated plans for women’s suffrage then, too. Suffragists found themselves making their case amid the panic of a pandemic. Illness was everywhere, gatherings were banned and canceled plans became the norm.Except, it had all happened before, during the Spanish flu, which arrived in 1918 and complicated plans for women’s suffrage then, too. Suffragists found themselves making their case amid the panic of a pandemic. Illness was everywhere, gatherings were banned and canceled plans became the norm.
This week, In Her Words looks back at this slice of history, which bears so many parallels to our current circumstances.This week, In Her Words looks back at this slice of history, which bears so many parallels to our current circumstances.
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In October 1918, Carrie Chapman Catt, the president of one of America’s national women’s suffrage movements, lay sick in bed in New York.In October 1918, Carrie Chapman Catt, the president of one of America’s national women’s suffrage movements, lay sick in bed in New York.
“She was stricken with influenza,” wrote Catt’s friend and biographer, Mary Gray Peck, referring to the Spanish flu pandemic that was rapidly tearing across the country and, by some accounts, killed close to 200,000 people in October alone.“She was stricken with influenza,” wrote Catt’s friend and biographer, Mary Gray Peck, referring to the Spanish flu pandemic that was rapidly tearing across the country and, by some accounts, killed close to 200,000 people in October alone.
“Chained to her bed like St. Lawrence to the gridiron. She looked and was extremely ill.”“Chained to her bed like St. Lawrence to the gridiron. She looked and was extremely ill.”
Catt was, however, concerned with issues beyond — but not unrelated to — the pains of the flu, according to Peck.Catt was, however, concerned with issues beyond — but not unrelated to — the pains of the flu, according to Peck.
The invisible, unpredictable force of the pandemic risked derailing her carefully planned campaign to secure women’s right to vote. The 19th Amendment was, at that moment, hanging by a thread in Congress. And the national suffrage movement, led in large part by two organizations — Catt’s National American Woman Suffrage Association and the National Woman’s Party — had managed to drum up immense momentum only to see it quickly dissipate as the country shut down public gatherings and ordered people to stay home.The invisible, unpredictable force of the pandemic risked derailing her carefully planned campaign to secure women’s right to vote. The 19th Amendment was, at that moment, hanging by a thread in Congress. And the national suffrage movement, led in large part by two organizations — Catt’s National American Woman Suffrage Association and the National Woman’s Party — had managed to drum up immense momentum only to see it quickly dissipate as the country shut down public gatherings and ordered people to stay home.
“These are sad times for the whole world, grown unexpectedly sadder by the sudden and sweeping epidemic of Influenza,” Catt wrote in a letter to suffrage workers across the country. “This new affliction is bringing sorrow into many suffrage homes and is presenting a serious new obstacle in our referendum campaigns and in the Congressional and Senatorial campaigns.”“These are sad times for the whole world, grown unexpectedly sadder by the sudden and sweeping epidemic of Influenza,” Catt wrote in a letter to suffrage workers across the country. “This new affliction is bringing sorrow into many suffrage homes and is presenting a serious new obstacle in our referendum campaigns and in the Congressional and Senatorial campaigns.”
What Catt didn’t realize when she sent the letter was that the flu, along with World War I, would end up helping the suffragists’ cause, enshrining women’s right to vote in the American Constitution in 1920.What Catt didn’t realize when she sent the letter was that the flu, along with World War I, would end up helping the suffragists’ cause, enshrining women’s right to vote in the American Constitution in 1920.
When the United States entered the First World War in April 1917, many suffragists across the country, particularly the National American Woman Suffrage Association, quickly aligned themselves with President Woodrow Wilson’s decision, helping to mobilize for the war effort, noted Allison Lange, a history professor at the Wentworth Institute of Technology and author of a new book on the images of the suffrage movement. Tens of thousands of nurses served in the Army and Navy Nurse corps in the United States and on the front lines of the war in Europe. Millions more women volunteered for organizations like the American Red Cross, helping roll bandages, prepare meals, pack and ship supplies, and organize fund-raisers.When the United States entered the First World War in April 1917, many suffragists across the country, particularly the National American Woman Suffrage Association, quickly aligned themselves with President Woodrow Wilson’s decision, helping to mobilize for the war effort, noted Allison Lange, a history professor at the Wentworth Institute of Technology and author of a new book on the images of the suffrage movement. Tens of thousands of nurses served in the Army and Navy Nurse corps in the United States and on the front lines of the war in Europe. Millions more women volunteered for organizations like the American Red Cross, helping roll bandages, prepare meals, pack and ship supplies, and organize fund-raisers.
Women began filling the labor gaps that the soldiers had left behind, and took up farming and working in factories, said Lange. Many were also selling citizens the so-called Liberty Loans, government bonds that helped fund the war, persuading buyers to put some of their family budget toward the war.Women began filling the labor gaps that the soldiers had left behind, and took up farming and working in factories, said Lange. Many were also selling citizens the so-called Liberty Loans, government bonds that helped fund the war, persuading buyers to put some of their family budget toward the war.
All of this quickly made visible women’s patriotism. “People were really seeing these women as incredibly valuable to American society,” Lange said. Posters across the country at the time depicted female nurses in their white uniforms as heroic, including one that declared that a nurse was the “greatest mother in the world.”All of this quickly made visible women’s patriotism. “People were really seeing these women as incredibly valuable to American society,” Lange said. Posters across the country at the time depicted female nurses in their white uniforms as heroic, including one that declared that a nurse was the “greatest mother in the world.”
Several prominent suffragists recognized the growing good will toward women and leveraged the moment to tie their war contributions back to demands for the right to vote. “The increasing number of women wage-earners, many supporting families and some supporting husbands, has thrown out the ‘women are represented’ argument,” Catt said in an open letter to Congress in November 1917, referring to the anti-suffrage argument that women were spoken for and represented by the men they knew.Several prominent suffragists recognized the growing good will toward women and leveraged the moment to tie their war contributions back to demands for the right to vote. “The increasing number of women wage-earners, many supporting families and some supporting husbands, has thrown out the ‘women are represented’ argument,” Catt said in an open letter to Congress in November 1917, referring to the anti-suffrage argument that women were spoken for and represented by the men they knew.
But while Catt’s association leveraged women’s war effort, other groups, notably the highly visible National Woman’s Party, led by Alice Paul, took a different tack — pointing out the hypocrisy of fighting a war for democratic ideals abroad, while a large chunk of the American population still didn’t have the right to vote. The group picketed the White House as the war raged on, bringing with them increasingly provocative banners, for which they were imprisoned, even tortured.But while Catt’s association leveraged women’s war effort, other groups, notably the highly visible National Woman’s Party, led by Alice Paul, took a different tack — pointing out the hypocrisy of fighting a war for democratic ideals abroad, while a large chunk of the American population still didn’t have the right to vote. The group picketed the White House as the war raged on, bringing with them increasingly provocative banners, for which they were imprisoned, even tortured.
Despite the splintered approach, momentum kept building. And in November 1917, New York became the 12th state to grant women the right to vote. Two months later, on Jan. 10, 1918, the House handily approved the amendment to the Constitution, by a vote of 274 to 136. And on Sept. 30, 1918, President Wilson threw his support behind the amendment and urged the Senate — then controlled by his Democratic Party — to approve it too.Despite the splintered approach, momentum kept building. And in November 1917, New York became the 12th state to grant women the right to vote. Two months later, on Jan. 10, 1918, the House handily approved the amendment to the Constitution, by a vote of 274 to 136. And on Sept. 30, 1918, President Wilson threw his support behind the amendment and urged the Senate — then controlled by his Democratic Party — to approve it too.
“We have made partners of the women in this war,” he said in the Senate Chamber. “Shall we admit them only to a partnership of suffering and sacrifice and toil and not a partnership of privilege?”“We have made partners of the women in this war,” he said in the Senate Chamber. “Shall we admit them only to a partnership of suffering and sacrifice and toil and not a partnership of privilege?”
The day after Wilson’s resounding speech, the amendment was defeated in the Senate, falling just two votes short of the two-thirds majority.The day after Wilson’s resounding speech, the amendment was defeated in the Senate, falling just two votes short of the two-thirds majority.
It failed for two key reasons: Some senators weren’t comfortable with the idea of a federal mandate. Other senators, particularly southern Democrats, were opposed to the idea of the vote going to black women, explained Elaine Weiss, author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote.”It failed for two key reasons: Some senators weren’t comfortable with the idea of a federal mandate. Other senators, particularly southern Democrats, were opposed to the idea of the vote going to black women, explained Elaine Weiss, author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote.”
“The southern senators were saying two things: If black women can vote, they’re going to vote for the party of Lincoln, which is Republican, and these are all Democratic Deep South states,” explained Weiss. “And there was the idea that if black women can vote, they might think they’re socially equal too and then the whole premise of white supremacy is eroded.”“The southern senators were saying two things: If black women can vote, they’re going to vote for the party of Lincoln, which is Republican, and these are all Democratic Deep South states,” explained Weiss. “And there was the idea that if black women can vote, they might think they’re socially equal too and then the whole premise of white supremacy is eroded.”
In fact, the suffragists, recognizing this resistance, had minimized the role and visibility of black women in their national campaigns in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience.In fact, the suffragists, recognizing this resistance, had minimized the role and visibility of black women in their national campaigns in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience.
A few days after the defeat in the Senate, the Spanish flu hit Washington, D.C., hard. Representative Claude Kitchin, a Democrat from North Carolina and the House majority leader, came down with the flu on Oct. 6. The House speaker, Champ Clark, also fell ill. On Oct. 7, Congress closed its public viewing galleries. Hundreds of deaths were reported in the capital every week. By mid-October, with most lawmakers either out sick or tending to the sick, almost all legislative action ground to a near halt, except for a few brief pro forma sessions.A few days after the defeat in the Senate, the Spanish flu hit Washington, D.C., hard. Representative Claude Kitchin, a Democrat from North Carolina and the House majority leader, came down with the flu on Oct. 6. The House speaker, Champ Clark, also fell ill. On Oct. 7, Congress closed its public viewing galleries. Hundreds of deaths were reported in the capital every week. By mid-October, with most lawmakers either out sick or tending to the sick, almost all legislative action ground to a near halt, except for a few brief pro forma sessions.
On top of all this, the midterm elections in early November were approaching. But then, as now, political activities, like rallies and speeches, were suspended.On top of all this, the midterm elections in early November were approaching. But then, as now, political activities, like rallies and speeches, were suspended.
At this point, suffragists across the country, bruised by their defeat in Congress, were determined to oust the senators who voted against the amendment. They also needed to campaign in Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Dakota and Michigan, where state-level referendums on extending voting rights to women would be held.At this point, suffragists across the country, bruised by their defeat in Congress, were determined to oust the senators who voted against the amendment. They also needed to campaign in Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Dakota and Michigan, where state-level referendums on extending voting rights to women would be held.
But the epidemic left them “really hamstrung,” said Weiss.But the epidemic left them “really hamstrung,” said Weiss.
In Louisiana, “all was ready for beginning a whirlwind campaign on October 1, when suddenly just before that date the influenza epidemic broke out and no assembling of people was allowed,” according to the “History of Woman Suffrage,” which was written and edited by prominent suffragists.In Louisiana, “all was ready for beginning a whirlwind campaign on October 1, when suddenly just before that date the influenza epidemic broke out and no assembling of people was allowed,” according to the “History of Woman Suffrage,” which was written and edited by prominent suffragists.
Updated June 24, 2020 Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
“Everything conspires against women suffrage. Now it is the influenza,” lamented one local suffragist in The New Orleans Times-Picayune.“Everything conspires against women suffrage. Now it is the influenza,” lamented one local suffragist in The New Orleans Times-Picayune.
In Chicago, on Oct. 26, the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association went ahead with its planned annual convention, although chairs were set four feet apart and the general public was barred from attending. The suffragists, however, “showed their scorn of the flu germ by appearing maskless,” according to The Chicago Tribune.In Chicago, on Oct. 26, the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association went ahead with its planned annual convention, although chairs were set four feet apart and the general public was barred from attending. The suffragists, however, “showed their scorn of the flu germ by appearing maskless,” according to The Chicago Tribune.
In Wyoming, in late October, the influenza pandemic was “so bad that it was considered immoral for six women to meet in a parlor,” one suffragist wrote in a letter. The “only way was to campaign by dodgers and street signs.”In Wyoming, in late October, the influenza pandemic was “so bad that it was considered immoral for six women to meet in a parlor,” one suffragist wrote in a letter. The “only way was to campaign by dodgers and street signs.”
Forced to all but abandon public gatherings, the suffragists “burned up the telephone lines and sent letters and took out ads in newspapers,” said Weiss. All in the hopes that men would vote in favor of women’s suffrage in the referendums.Forced to all but abandon public gatherings, the suffragists “burned up the telephone lines and sent letters and took out ads in newspapers,” said Weiss. All in the hopes that men would vote in favor of women’s suffrage in the referendums.
There was also a growing demand for nurses across the country to help fight the pandemic. Women, including many suffrage workers, fanned out to tend to the sick, further depleting the campaign’s resources.There was also a growing demand for nurses across the country to help fight the pandemic. Women, including many suffrage workers, fanned out to tend to the sick, further depleting the campaign’s resources.
The need for nurses became so urgent that the Red Cross reversed its previous hesitation to deploy black nurses. Until that point, black women were, in theory, allowed to serve as nurses but were not actually sent out as part of the war effort, according to the American Journal of Public Health. But as the pandemic peaked, “a number of our nurses have been sent to homes that hitherto have not been opened to colored nurses,” said Adah Belle Thoms, president of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.The need for nurses became so urgent that the Red Cross reversed its previous hesitation to deploy black nurses. Until that point, black women were, in theory, allowed to serve as nurses but were not actually sent out as part of the war effort, according to the American Journal of Public Health. But as the pandemic peaked, “a number of our nurses have been sent to homes that hitherto have not been opened to colored nurses,” said Adah Belle Thoms, president of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.
And so the flu became “a really important moment for gender, but also race,” said Lange. This was a moment when “Americans see that women are valuable in general, but also that women of color are valuable.”And so the flu became “a really important moment for gender, but also race,” said Lange. This was a moment when “Americans see that women are valuable in general, but also that women of color are valuable.”
In the November elections, the Democrats lost control of the Senate, with several new pro-suffrage lawmakers voted in. And the referendums in Michigan, South Dakota and Oklahoma passed too.In the November elections, the Democrats lost control of the Senate, with several new pro-suffrage lawmakers voted in. And the referendums in Michigan, South Dakota and Oklahoma passed too.
“It seems like the 1918 flu pushed politicians and the people who really subscribed to this rhetoric about women’s patriotism and contributions as caregivers to the next level,” said Lange, who is also consulting historian for the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.“It seems like the 1918 flu pushed politicians and the people who really subscribed to this rhetoric about women’s patriotism and contributions as caregivers to the next level,” said Lange, who is also consulting historian for the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.
The next year, both the House and the Senate approved the amendment, setting off an intense ratification campaign around the country before it was finally entered into the Constitution in 1920.The next year, both the House and the Senate approved the amendment, setting off an intense ratification campaign around the country before it was finally entered into the Constitution in 1920.
A century later, as the coronavirus pandemic brings America to a standstill again just as the country was gearing up for celebrations to mark the amendment’s centennial, the suffragists’ near-miss provides us with valuable lessons, said Weiss.A century later, as the coronavirus pandemic brings America to a standstill again just as the country was gearing up for celebrations to mark the amendment’s centennial, the suffragists’ near-miss provides us with valuable lessons, said Weiss.
“It takes persistence and taking disappointment and turning it into momentum,” she said. “These women were masters at protesting but they were never just protesters. They used all the tools of democracy and learned to use the system to change the system.”“It takes persistence and taking disappointment and turning it into momentum,” she said. “These women were masters at protesting but they were never just protesters. They used all the tools of democracy and learned to use the system to change the system.”