On November 2, 1915, male voters in Massachusetts were asked to vote via referendum to decide on an amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution that would strike the word “male” from the article about voting rights. In preparation for the upcoming vote, the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association organized a pro-suffrage parade on Saturday, October 16, 1915, involving some 15,000 marchers and 30 bands. The parade route began at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Beacon Street; marchers made their way past the Public Garden, Boston Common, and the State House before proceeding up Tremont Street and Saint James Avenue to Huntington. The parade ended at Mechanics Hall where a pro-suffrage rally was held.

Document F

As the Massachusetts pro-suffrage activists geared up for their parade, the “Antis” geared up for a counter-protest. This is an excerpt from an article published by The Boston Daily Globe on October 15, 1915, one day before the parade was set to take place.

“In their great ‘victory’ parade tomorrow the Woman Suffragists of Massachusetts, who expect to march with 15,000 in line and 30 bands, must pass on their line of march no less than 100 houses decorated with red roses, the symbol of the antisuffragists, and with banners appealing to the men of the State to vote against votes for women.

“Hovering about the line of March, like flying cavalry seeking an opening for flank attack on an enemy column, will be many motor cars decorated with red roses, some of them as large as cabbage heads and mounted on long staffs for stems.

“In many hotels maids and matrons will sell red roses and with each will give away a red card bearing an argument against Woman Suffrage.

“On the streets some hundreds of boys will sell red roses and give with each a similar card.

“Among the crowds that are expected to witness the parade will be many hundreds, and it is hoped by the ‘antisuffs’ [sic] many thousands, wearing red roses…

“…This is the answer of the No Votes for Women workers among the gentler sex in Massachusetts to the suffragist bid for the ballot through a great parade.

“It will constitute the only organized demonstration of the antisuffragists against their sisters of the opposite camp. No effort will be made to interrupt the parade in the smallest degree or to embarrass the paraders [sic] by any attacks, direct or indirect, except that silent protect [sic] of the blushing roses that is worn on each antisuffrage [sic] bosom, be it male or female.”