Introduction
Official Program of the parade, Library of Congress
On March 3, 1913, a huge parade consisting of over 5,000 women was held in Washington D.C on Pennsylvania Avenue. These women were protesting for the right to vote, more commonly known as women’s suffrage.
The parade had been organized by Alice Paul and the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). NAWSA was a large suffrage organization formed in 1890. Famous activists for women’s suffrage such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony had been former presidents of this organization.
Alice Paul, National Women's History Museum
Excerpt from the Women's Journal regarding the parade plans
"Washington, during the last week, has gradually awakened to the fact that it is in the midst of the greatest woman suffrage crusade ever attempted on a national scale in the United States."
~ Women's Journal
Chief Justice White administering the oath of office to Wilson, Library of Congress
Although women’s suffrage had been an issue for over 60 years, the 1913 parade was “the first major national event for the movement.” (Cohen). The organizers purposely planned the parade the day before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration in order to get more attention and publicity. Their plan proved to be successful as around 250,000 people watched the parade.