Introduction Sashes

An introduction to the movement, and you!

For this activity you will be learning about how colors and symbols helped people express their beliefs in a movement. Use the information you learned from the articles on the history of the suffrage movement to inspire you to express yourself through colors and symbols on a self-created sash of your own.

The Colors and Sash Explained

Read the following article to learn how the colors for the suffrage movement were selected. Make sure to keep an eye out for how Kansas played a part in the color selection

Make connections to other activities by learning more about the jail pins as memorabilia of the suffrage movement and some of the suffragists behind the movement.

The Colors of Women's SuffrageUpdated June 17, 2019 Throughout history, color has been a way to provide instant visual recognition and the women's suffrage movement was no different. The colors associated with women’s suffrage represented the many sides of the cause. The British women's suffrage colors were purple, white, and green. Purple, white, and

The Significance of the Yellow Rose

Take a moment to learn about the Tennessee War of Roses. See how the influence of one mother and allyship of one man can change the law and history along with it. Pay attention to how roses were used as symbolism for support for or against the movement. You can select which source you want to read from, or read both! The first is a short summary and the second is a more extensive telling of the story.

Short Summary

constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-man-and-his-mom-who-gave-women-the-vote/

Long Story

Microsoft Word - The War of the Roses, TN & the 19th Amendment.doc.pdf

Explore Symbols of the Suffrage Movement

Take a moment to browse this website and learn about the different symbols of the suffrage movement. See if any inspire you for when you create your own sash.

Symbols of the Women's Suffrage Movement (U.S. National Park Service)

Creating your own Sash

Now that you have learned about the thought that goes into selecting colors and symbols to represent a movement it is your turn to think of what colors and symbols you will choose to represent you.

Here are some prompts to help you brainstorm what you may want to include on your sash...

What are your favorite colors? What do those colors mean to you? Why are you drawn to those colors?
What are you passionate about?
- Animals, environments, physical activity/sports, human rights, crafting, etc.
- What does that passion mean to you?
- What are symbols that can represent those passions?
What does the right to vote mean to you?
Who inspires you? What is inspiring about them?
What imagery do you like?

Above is Hazel Hunkins wearing a sash as she stands in a picket line protesting for women's right to vote.

Sample

I used some paint to make an old tie dye shirt a totally empowering sash. I chose to have the word "vote" large across the sash because that is what this whole summer project is about for me: celebrating the right to vote. I am also excited that this is the first year I will be old enough to vote in a presidential election. I chose the colors of the rainbow as well as black, brown, and white because these are colors used in human rights movements of today and when I think about what I am voting for the first thing I think about is the people and our rights.

Things that I considered including on my sash were waves because I love the water and think that it is a great symbol for movement. I also considered adding a sunflower because they always seek out the light and are the state flower of Kansas. I made the choice not to include these symbols because I wanted to keep my sash simple like those of the suffrage movement. I look forward to utilizing that symbolism in the suffrage memorabilia activity though!

I can't wait to see the sashes you all will make and hear the meaning behind them!

Suggested Materials

Pre-made Sash

Sash
Fabric Markers
Ribbons (optional)
Patches (optional)

DIY T-Shirt Sash

Old t-shirt
Scissors
Ruler
Iron/ironing board (optional)
Fabric Markers

T-Shirt Sash DIY

Untitled document

Instructions:

Grab supplies- old t-shirt, scissors, marker, and ruler
Iron t-shirt to make sure it lays flat- if needed
Lay shirt front side up
Using a ruler draw a straight line from the right shoulder seam to the bottom left corner
Using a ruler draw a straight line from the right collar parallel with the first line ( should be 4-6 inches depending on shirt size)
Cut along those lines through both layers of fabric
Get creative: doodle, tie-dye, embroider, etc. The only rule- express yourself!

Excited about learning about symbolism in the suffrage movement and want to continue to use your creativity?

Move onto the DIY Suffrage Memorabilia activity page!

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