The History Chicks: Alice Paul Part 2 – Detailed Summary

Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction In the second part of their comprehensive coverage on Alice Paul, The History Chicks delve deeper into Paul's relentless activism for women's suffrage and her subsequent efforts to secure broader gender equality. This episode highlights the challenges, triumphs, and complex dynamics within the suffrage movement, offering listeners an engaging narrative enriched with historical insights and direct quotations from the transcript.

1. Recap of Alice Paul's Early Activism [00:18 - 01:18] Susan and Becky begin by summarizing Alice Paul's background:

• Born into a wealthy Quaker family.
• Achieved a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.
• Active in the settlement movement and worked with the women's suffrage organization in England under Emily Pankhurst.
• Learned effective public relations, large-scale protests, and resilience through experiences like force-feeding during imprisonment.
• Returned to the U.S., joined the National Women's Suffrage Association (NAWSA), and organized a groundbreaking suffrage parade in Washington D.C. with Lucy Burns.

Notable Quote:

• Susan (01:00): "Alice is only 28 years old at this point. That kind of blows my mind a little bit. I don't think I was ever this organized in my twenties or even now."

2. The Suffrage Parade and Its Aftermath [01:18 - 03:04] The episode recounts the dramatic events of the suffrage parade:

• The parade became violent due to clashes with anti-suffrage groups, largely composed of men.
• Media coverage highlighted the criminal behavior of the male crowd, portraying the women as dignified and stoic.
• NAWSA's initial hesitance gave way to praise despite internal disagreements.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (01:40): "So most of the press coverage stressed the criminal behavior of the male crowd against dignified and stoic and proper women, your own mothers and sisters."

3. Alice Paul's Determination and Initial Setbacks [05:06 - 09:29] Alice Paul faced disappointment when congressional hearings did not result in substantial action. Despite meticulous organization, the hearings merely criticized the lack of protection during the parade without leading to significant reforms. This fueled her resolve to push for a constitutional amendment rather than state-by-state victories.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (05:08): "Don't forget that outside, NASA and the remaining NWP were also out in the world, using leverage, threats, cajolery and press coverage to put pressure on Congress and the President."

4. Clash with NAWSA and Formation of the Congressional Union [07:30 - 10:34] Alice Paul and Lucy Burns's assertive strategies clashed with NAWSA's more conservative approach. Their insistence on a federal amendment led to disagreements, culminating in the formation of the Congressional Union (later the National Women's Party) to pursue suffrage more aggressively.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (07:46): "But instead of just nodding and smiling politely as the response that he fully expected, Alice Paul said, but how dare you negotiate these issues without the input of half the population, sir?"

5. The Silent Sentinels and Escalation of Protests [10:34 - 40:43] Alice Paul pioneered the Silent Sentinels' strategy—women standing silently with banners outside the White House to demand voting rights. This method drew significant media attention and public debate, though it also led to increased hostility, especially as World War I intensified.

Notable Quotes:

• Becky (37:08): "Performance art. It was perfect."
• Susan (40:20): "Did they know the finger? Would that have been their response? I mean, I'm actually sure they knew, Susan."

6. World War I and Shifting Public Opinion [42:32 - 48:15] The onset of World War I shifted public sentiments, leading some suffrage organizations to pause their activities out of patriotism. However, Alice Paul saw an opportunity to capitalize on the increased awareness and urgency, refusing to halt her activism despite the war.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (47:50): "No, thank you, said Alice."

7. Carrie Chapman Catt vs. Alice Paul [68:15 - 77:46] The episode explores the rivalry between Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt:

• Catt advocated for state-by-state campaigns and more conservative tactics.
• Paul's militant approach and refusal to compromise created tension, especially regarding racial inclusivity within the movement.
• Alice Paul's exclusion of African American women from her conferences highlighted the racial divides that persisted.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (76:37): "Mary Terrell and her friend Addie Hunton and some other black suffragists met Alice at NWP headquarters. And Alice asked, what do you women want me to do? And Terrell said, I want you to tell us right now whether you endorse the enforcement of the 19th Amendment for all women."

8. The Passage of the 19th Amendment and Continued Struggles [85:26 - 95:33] In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote nationally. However, Alice Paul and the National Women's Party continued their fight for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to secure broader gender equality. The ERA faced significant opposition, notably from Phyllis Schlafly, leading to its eventual stall despite passing both houses of Congress in 1972.

Notable Quote:

• Susan (98:32): "I was not content with keeping her sphere of influence in the United States, she expanded to an international level and founded the World Women's Party..."

9. Legacy and Posthumous Recognition [97:20 - 105:09] Alice Paul's contributions were honored posthumously through various recognitions, including induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame and being featured on commemorative currency. Her legacy persists through institutions like the Smithsonians and active campaigns advocating for the ERA's continuation.

Notable Quote:

• Susan (98:39): "Alice is buried at the Westfield Friends burial ground in Cinnamon, New Jersey. And if you go to the Alice Paul house, it really isn't that far. We couldn't go because we were on a bus with 50 other people."

10. Intersectionality and Racial Issues [74:10 - 78:49] The episode critically examines the exclusion of African American women from the mainstream suffrage movement. Despite their essential contributions, Alice Paul and the NWP failed to address racial disparities, leaving women of color to fight for their rights independently until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (75:58): "But Cassandra and her organization fought for the inclusion of gender equality into the United Nations Charter, specifically this language..."

11. Recommendations for Further Exploration [106:35 - 117:17] Susan and Becky suggest numerous resources for listeners eager to delve deeper into Alice Paul's life and the suffrage movement:

• Books: Alice Paul Claiming Power by JD Zahnezer and Amelia R. Fry, Women’s Long Battle for the Vote by Ellen Carol Dubois, Iron Jawed Angels (film), and others.
• Visits: Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice in Morristown, NJ; Occoquan Workhouse Memorial.
• Media: Musical Suffs, PBS's American Experience: The Vote, and the Mapping American Social Movements Project.

Notable Quote:

• Becky (105:00): "The National Women's Party moved to yet Another house location in Washington D.C. that home was named Alva Belmont House because Alva had been such a primary financial contributor..."

Conclusion Part two of the Alice Paul episode on The History Chicks offers a nuanced exploration of Alice Paul's enduring impact on women's rights. It underscores her unwavering commitment, strategic brilliance, and the complexities of her legacy, particularly concerning racial inclusivity. By weaving together historical narrative with direct quotes, Susan and Becky provide listeners with a thorough understanding of Alice Paul's pivotal role in shaping American society.

Additional Resources:

• Books: Comprehensive list provided throughout the episode.
• Websites: National Park Service's pages on women's suffrage, Alice Paul Institute.
• Media Links: Iron Jawed Angels, Suffs musical, PBS episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Susan [00:08]: "Welcome to part two of our coverage of Alice Paul."
• Becky [05:06]: "But they played the sad trombone and went to lunch."
• Becky [37:08]: "This is the first time people had protested in front of the White House."
• Susan [99:05]: "That was one of my favorite parts of that trip..."
• Becky [105:09]: "Now, we know that she was a valuable worker. We know her achievements."