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Deeds Not Words

Women suffragists cover a billboard to advertise their Washington, D.C. parade. Shutterstock

As Paul’s devotion to the suffrage movement grew, she changed from a quiet and reserved woman to a confident suffragist who publicly and actively advocated for women’s rights. She joined the fight in London and began taking a stand against those who opposed women’s liberation.

Police arrest suffragettes who are chaining themselves to the railings outside Buckingham Palace, London. 1914, Getty Images.
Women holding a banner while walking. New York Times.
Women advertising a lecture. Library of Congress.
The women of this smart capital are beautiful. Their beauty is disturbing to business; their feet are beautiful; their ankles are beautiful, but here I must pause - for they are not interested in the state
Stanley Bowdle, during Anti-Suffarge debate.
Police arrest a militant suffragette during the campaign for women's rights. c. 1912, Getty Images
British suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, being jeered by a crowd in New York. circa. 1911, Getty Images.

Paul, along with other British suffragettes, began with peaceful protests, but, after being mistreated constantly by critics opposed to women’s suffrage, turned violent. This included breaking windows, planting bombs, handcuffing themselves to railings, and interrupting speeches. Paul took part in these riots and was subsequently arrested multiple times for suffragist agitation. This is where she learned to demand she be treated as a political prisoner.

Photograph showing men looking at material posted in the window of the National Anti-Suffrage Association headquarters. 1911, Library of Congress.
An anti-suffrage booth at Old Home Days in Skaneateles, NY. 1915, Courtesy of Skaneateles Historical Society.
Suffrage postcard with poem and illustration satirically depicting the Anti-Suffrage League. c. 1911. University of Wisconsin Digital Collections.
English suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst being arrested. May 21, 1914, Getty Images.
Surely there is no greater monopoly than that of all men in denying to all women a voice in the laws they are compelled to obey.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
The best protection any woman can have... is courage.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
English suffragette Annie Kenney is arrested during a demonstration. 1913, Getty Images.
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