Emma G. - Iron Jawed Angels

 

It's not uncommon to hear that American politics naturally splits people into two parties and creates division. However, there is division within parties while fighting for the same cause; The women's suffrage movement highlights this. Within the movie "Iron Jawed Angels," both characters Alice Paul and Ida Wells are fighting for women's right to vote, yet there is division between the two characters. Alice Paul is a well educated, white woman and was fighting for those similar to herself. While picketing, planning parades, and making headlines, her team leaves the rights of black women--such as Ida Wells--on the back burner. Ida Wells even brings this to Alice Paul's attention in the film when she notes that Alice Wells structured the parade event so that all the suffragists of color are in the back. Rather than changing the structure of the event, Paul brushes Wells' request aside and continues to only fight for white women. Another group that challenged Paul and her team was the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Comprised of older, white women of high socioeconomic status, they were a force to be reckoned with for Paul. Although Paul, Wells, and the NAWSA all sought an amendment allowing women to vote, the process to fight for these rights differed among groups. If they were to have joined forces, maybe women would have had the right to vote before 1920. Maybe the fight for this amendment would have included all women, rather than those simply with the socioeconomic status and privilege to have their voice heard. 

Although the passage of the 19th amendment allowed for women to enter politics, the delay has had a lasting impact seen in politics today. Paul wrote in The Washington Times in 1922 that, "It will not require one hundred years to elect a woman President of the United States. Before 2023 we will see a woman in the White House as chief executive of the nation and women will comprise half of the membership of Congress.” However, over a hundred years later in 2023, we have not had a female President and many women in Congress with powerful voices are viewed as “hysterical.” Women now have a place in politics thanks to suffragists. Although, in order to reach that political position they must overcome policies and practices built on a sexist foundation.