The Woman Suffrage Movement in Maryland from 1870 to 1920
The Woman Suffrage Movement in Maryland from 1870 to 1920
Files
Publication or External Link
Date
1962
Authors
Son, Mal Hee
Advisor
Chatelain, Verne E.
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
A study of woman suffrage movement in Maryland in the period from
the Civil War to the First World War reveals not only the stubborn opposition
and almost insurmountable difficulties con.fronting the crusaders in
this cause, but also the unexpected capacity for organization and the
courageous fighting qualities of women in this historic battle. In Maryland's
conservative society, the feminist movement was often ridiculed;
and it faced repeated disappointments even until the enactment of the
Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment in 1920. Yet, it seems clear that,
throughout the long struggle, the greatest single factor in achieving
this major reform in Maryland society was the unquenchable spirit of the
women who conducted the suffrage campaign.
There were, in fact, many outstanding Maryland feminists during
this period who plainly demonstrated the ability and intelligence to
analyze and to manage matters of great civic and political importance .
Among these, Mrs. Caroline Miller, Mrs. J. William Funck, Mrs. Elizabeth
King Ellicott, and Mrs. Donald R. Hooker possibly deserve the highest
accolades, although there were also others hardly less worthy of attention.
This demonstrated capacity and competence in public affairs of
women in Maryland was eventually recognized even after the Maryland State Assembly had finally voted to reject the Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment
on the grounds of its invasion of the sacred precincts of State Rights.
And it is worth notice that while Maryland has not) to this day) seen
fit to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment) it has now quite capitulated to
the principle of equal rights for women.