Aug. 28, 1917: Suffragists protest in front of the White House

Thursday 28 August 2008

Suffragists protested Aug. 28, 1917, outside the White House with the intent on persuading President Wilson to back an amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Wilson, who had two daughters who were involved in the suffragist movement, did not give his full support to the cause.

The protest, which started peacefully, became increasingly unstable as many suffragists clashed with angry bystanders upset with the protesters' anti-World War I slogans and signs. Many of the suffragists led a hunger strike after having been arrested and jailed. Concerned with negative publicity towards his administration, Wilson agreed to a suffragist amendment. Two years later, Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.