Alice Paul 19th Amendment Essay

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Have any of you heard of the 19th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution? Yes, this Amendment grants the right for women to vote, which plays a huge role in the political empowerment of women in today's society. Have you ever wondered, who were the people that fought for the protection of women and men equally? What if I told you that there were many practices used, such as lobbying and civil disobedience, just to guarantee women’s right to vote? I believe it is crucial to learn about the people behind the passage of monumental laws, such as allowing women to vote. Therefore, I will be paying tribute to Alice Paul, who was an important figure in women's activism and played a significant role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment. I will be …show more content…

Alice Paul was born in 1855 to a mother who was a suffragist, and father who was a Quaker businessman. Both her parents firmly believed in the notion of gender equality. Paul was influenced early in life about suffrage movements for women, as her mother would involve her in conferences. Alice studied social work in England after receiving her masters degree in sociology. During her stay in England, Alice became friends with Lucy Burns, who was a suffragist for women's rights. Both women joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association to advocate for gender equality. According to the National Women’s History Museum, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns were involved in various practices that fought for suffrage such as, “picketing and hunger strikes” (Michals). These efforts will soon contribute to Alice Paul’s role in leading the establishment of the 19th …show more content…

After the passage of the 19th Amendment, Paul continued her efforts in fighting for gender equality. According to the Library of Congress, the Equal Rights Amendment states that, “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction” (Novara, 2023). Unfortunately, the Equal Rights Amendment passed Congress, but it was not ratified. Alice Paul then became chairman of the Women’s Research Foundation and founded the World’s Women Party. Throughout her lifetime, Alice Paul became a representative for women’s rights, as she worked tirelessly for the suffrage

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