The first American women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. Those in attendance created and signed a petition calling for a broad range of reforms that would drastically change the status of women in America. At the time, suggesting women should have the right to vote was the most radical of the outlined ideals. In 1872, Women's Rights leader Susan B Anthony registered and voted in a New York election. She was promptly arrested, and fined $100.
Due to suffragist efforts, the Women's Suffrage Amendment was presented to Congress for the first time in 1878, but they refused to vote on the issue. The National Women's Party was formed, led by Alice Paul. Huge suffrage parades were held in Washington and New York. Suffragists in long white dresses flocked by the thousands to march in the parades, ride floats and carry banners. Some men marched with them as well, but it didn't seem to sway the government. By 1917, protesters began picketing the White House. Spectators assaulted the protesters, and police did nothing to stop them.
Police began arresting protesters and charging them with obstructing traffic. At first the charges were dropped, but as the pickets continued law enforcement began giving them jail time. As the pickets continued, the jail terms were made longer. Finally, in an effort to break their spirits, the police arrested their leader, Alice Paul, and sentenced her to seven months in prison. After two weeks of solitary confinement she became weak and was taken to the prison hospital, where she began a hunger strike. Fearful she might die, doctors forced a tube down her throat and fed her liquids. She was released after five weeks in prison. Similar stories angered the American people, who began supporting the movement even more.
On Jan. 9, 1918, President Wilson announced his support for women's voting rights. The next day the House of Representatives passed the Susan B Anthony Amendment, which would extend the right to vote to all women. On June 4, 1919, the Senate passed the amendment by one vote, and on Aug. 26, 1920, Tennessee became the final state to ratify the amendment; officially making it the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.