The 19th Amendment was adopted and certified on August 26, 1920, with the help of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), founded by Susan B. Anthony. NAWSA was a movement that fought for an amendment to the Constitution to end women's suffrage. Even though the amendment was first introduced to Congress in 1878, the fight continued for decades. Women historians, also known as suffragists, such as Alice Paul, Lillian Feickert, and Susan B. Anthony, spearheaded organizations that advocated for women's rights. Meanwhile, other suffragists and influential figures lobbied for the cause on a state-by-state basis. When the 19th Amendment was passed in the United States, New Jersey also ratified the suffrage amendment, making it the 29th state to allow women to vote.
The passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was a hard-fought victory, not achieved until May 21, 1919, in the House of Representatives and later on June 4, 1919, in the Senate. This triumph was a testament to the unwavering dedication and strategic planning of women activists during that time. Lillian (Ford) Feikert and Alice Paul, among other notable individuals, were instrumental in these efforts, emerging as heroes in the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
Lillian F. (Ford) Feickert
Lillian Feickert, an American Suffragist, was born in Brooklyn, New York, but became a long-time resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, after getting married. Her tenure as the New Jersey Woman Suffrage President from 1912 to 1920 was marked by significant achievements. She played a pivotal role in organizing the New Jersey?League of Women Voters (LWV), and under her leadership, the group made significant strides in gaining voting rights. She also led other prohibition organizations, demonstrating her multifaceted dedication to social causes. Her efforts to ratify the Federal Suffrage Amendment, which New Jersey ratified on February 10, 1920, were commendable. Despite an unsuccessful bid for the State Senate as a pro-prohibition candidate, her contributions to the Women's Suffrage Movement were undeniable, and her legacy continues to inspire.
Alice Paul
Alice Paul, a Quaker and American Suffragist, was a Mount Laurel, New Jersey native who emerged as a key figure in the national movement for women's suffrage during the 19th century. She became a power player in the women’s suffrage movement through her work with the National American Woman Suffrage Association. During this era, New Jersey’s laws were seen as relatively progressive, with no specific restrictions limiting gender or non-white men. Typically, states only allowed white men to vote. Nevertheless, the New Jersey constitution stated that all "inhabitants," using the word "they," with enough property worth “50 pounds”, could vote, which included women and people of different races.
Yet, this equal treatment amongst voters led to widespread suspicion that there was voter fraud and manipulation. There were concerns among voters that men were posing as women, voting multiple times, or ineligible individuals were voting. As a result, New Jersey changed its voting laws in 1807, allowing only white men to vote, disenfranchising women and non-white voters after years of having the right to vote. Unfortunately, this setback in the fight for equal voting rights in New Jersey reflected the ongoing national struggle for women's suffrage. Paul later formed the National Woman's Party (NWP) to focus more national attention on women’s suffrage.
Her strategic planning and organizing of protests, such as the Silent Sentinels, a group of women who marched outside of the White House, and NWP events, contributed greatly to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. Paul’s commitment to women’s rights extended beyond suffrage, as she wanted equal rights for everyone. Because of her work regarding women’s suffrage and equal rights for men and women, many dubbed the Equal Rights Amendment the “Alice Paul Amendment.” Paul’s ferocity and relentlessness in securing women’s suffrage in New Jersey and later across the country opened the door for more activism regarding equal rights.
The work accomplished by women in the 19th century was significant, but it doesn't mean that there aren't still challenges that women will face in the future. Although we cannot predict the future, we can acknowledge that times have improved for women compared to the past. However, the Suffragettes' fight for equality in the political realm is an essential part of the history of feminism. We owe a debt of gratitude to them and other pioneering women who paved the way for us.
The movement will forever be part of history and memorialized as the mark of triumph and victory of 19th-century women.
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, CBradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x128.