Women of Protest: Photographs from the Records of the National Woman's Party
In a hurry? Save or print these Collection Connections as a single file.
Go directly to the collection, Women of Protest: Photographs from the Records of the National Woman's Party, in American Memory, or view a Summary of Resources related to the collection.
Historical Research: Researching Ratification of the 19th Amendment
Once the 19th Amendment was passed by Congress, it had to be ratified by 36 states in order to become part of the Constitution. Battles played out in many states, none more dramatic than in Tennessee, which became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment in August 1920.
Research the struggle for ratification of the 19th Amendment in Tennessee.
- What lobbying methods did the people on both sides of the suffrage question use in Tennessee?
- What role did Harry Burn, the youngest member of the Tennessee legislature, play in the ratification debate?
- What tactics did the anti-suffrage movement employ to block final ratification?
Historical Research: Comparing Equal Rights Amendments
After passage of the 19th Amendment, the National Woman’s Party began
working for passage of an Equal Rights bill:
The bill would give women full equality in the government service, give married
women citizenship in their own right and make women of the District of Columbia
eligible to serve on juries, equal guardianship rights, and equal rights
of inheritance and contract.
From “Women Ask President for Equal Rights Legislation” (Women Ask President for Equal Rights Legislation).
Research the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) submitted to the states for ratification in 1972.
- How did the contemporary ERA differ from the 1920 bill? What events in the intervening 50 years might have shaped the 1972 amendment?
- What arguments were presented in favor of passage of the ERA in the 1970s? Opposed to passage?
- Why do you think the ERA failed to achieve the 38 states necessary for ratification?