Alice Stokes Paul

A few days ago, on August 26th, it was the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment which granted women the right to vote. Only after many years, many protests, and many campaigns was this able to happen, and Alice Paul played a monumental role in strategizing.

As a feminist and women's rights activist, Paul was essential to advancing the women's rights movements, and, thus, a trailblazer for the women in STEM movement.

Born in New Jersey in 1885, Paul was first introduced to women's suffrage from her mother who was a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). By going to meetings with her mother, she began to realize the importance of public service. At Swarthmore College, while studying biology, she served on the Executive Board of Student Government. After graduating, she spent a year at a settlement house in New York City but quickly realized that she could not right injustice through only social work. As a result, she continued to study political science, sociology, and economics at various universities including the University of Pennsylvania and London School of Economics. While in London, she became invested in the British women's suffrage movement, working with the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) and participating in demonstrations.

She began selling suffragist magazines, opening her eyes to the abuse that women involved in the movement faced. She knew then that social work was not enough; women must have the equal legal status of men. Paul was respected by the WSPU because of her resilience and willingness to be arrested for the movement. For example, the WSPU decided to protest a speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Gray. When Gray proposed legislation that he said would be beneficial, Paul powerfully said, "Well, these are very wonderful ideals, but couldn’t you extend them to women?” She was dragged out and arrested at the police station, but her courage ignited public attention and increased media coverage.

In 1910, Paul returned to the U.S. and strategized her plan for women's suffrage here. Because she got much media attention in England, her return was publicized by the American news media. Since focusing on one goal worked in England, she used the same tactics in focusing on achieving the recognition of women as equal citizens. She went back to the University of Pennsylvania to obtain her Ph.D. Then, she started to work with the NAWSA, just like her mother, organizing many marches and demonstrations including the 1913 Women's Suffrage Procession and the Silent Sentinels. Later, in the 1940s and 50s, she was an important part of adding Title VII protection for women in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Alice Paul's bravery and perseverance in both the British and American women's suffrage movements were simply incredible. Despite multiple arrests and even three jail terms, she continued to fight. Coupled with her intelligent strategies, Paul and her lasting effects on society will never be forgotten.