Embedded Files
The fight for equal suffrage continued into the early twentieth century and newspapers became an important tool for suffrage organizations to highlight their cause. In a 1911 edition of the Nevada State Journal, the Equal Franchise Society of Nevada produced an article discussing their work with suffrage and other issues of equality. Borrowing the humorist approach in one section, the article discussed those opposed to suffrage, stating that women received the vote in so many places and there is danger in so many more places where they are about to receive the vote, that there will be nowhere for the anti-suffragists to go.[1] During the same year, attorney and Nevada native Felice Cohn drafted a resolution to amend the Nevada constitution and allow women to vote. Although both houses approved the resolution, it did not pass the legislature until 1913, at which time it went to the general public to be voted upon.
The work of suffragists became increasingly present in media as Nevada neared the passage of suffrage for women. The Nevada State Journal printed an article detailing the events of the 1914 convention of the Nevada Equal Franchise Society. One of the events highlighted was an “encouraging report . . . from the organization committee of the Men’s Equal Franchise Society” that called for a presentation of all men from the University of Nevada in support of suffrage.[2] The article also highlighted the importance of material culture in campaigning, as the convention adopted the slogan “Don’t Keep the Women of Nevada Out” for use on banners and other items.
Later the same year, the push for suffrage intensified. Two ads that appeared in the Carson City Daily Appeal highlight the debate over suffrage, with one ad promoting a lecture on anti-suffrage and another encouraging people to vote yes on the suffrage amendment.[3]
Despite the attempts of the anti-suffragists, the amendment passed in November of 1914 and women in Nevada had earned the right to vote. Nevertheless, those who opposed suffrage questioned the passing of the amendment. A few days after the election, the Daily Independent printed two articles: one headline reading “Suffrage may be Contested,” and the other reading “Suffrage Ladies Celebrate Victory.”[4]
Ultimately, the amendment stood, but the suffrage debate in Nevada, on the local or national level, was not over. To read more about the national suffrage and the ongoing fight for women's equality, click below!
Sources:
[1] “One Phase of the Fight for Votes,” Nevada State Journal, July 30, 1911, America’s Historical Newspapers.
[2] “Convention has Finished Work,” Nevada State Journal, February 26, 1914, America’s Historical Newspapers.
[3] “Advertisements,” Carson City Daily Appeal, November 2, 1914. Historic American Newspapers.
[4] “Suffrage may be Contested” and “Suffrage Ladies Celebrate Victory,” Daily Independent, November 7, 1914, Historic American Newspapers.
© Copyright 2018 Christina Lamoureux. All Rights Reserved.
Google Sites
Report abuse