Frame Size (H x L): 21.5” x 41.5”
Pennant Size (H x L): 9.5” x 26.5” with 5” tassels.

Offered is an extremely rare “VOTES FOR WOMEN” suffragette pennant.  It is made of felt.  Its field is a combination of yellow and black.  Yellow was the primary color in the women’s suffrage movement in the US, and was combined with various other colors, though in most instances was combined with black.  Setting atop the yellow portion of the field is “VOTES FOR WOMEN” in all black caps.  Setting atop the black portion of the field is a suffragette in a pink dress holding the pose of Lady Liberty.  She is standing in front of a patriotic shield, and holding a staff that states “EQUAL RIGHTS”.  The pennant includes four black tassels extending from a yellow hoist strip. 

In 1848, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York.  As a result of this meeting in Stanton’s hometown, the document containing a declaration for women’s suffrage, right to education, and right to employment was drafted.  Over the next 50 years, numerous women’s conventions were hosted to bring strength to the movement in masses.  In 1906, the daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriot Stanton Blatch, founded the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women, which later became the Women’s Political Union.  The Women’s Political Union organized working-class suffragists and, in 1910, organized the first large scale suffrage march in the United States (in New York City). 

Though initially targeted as a state-by-state movement, it was ultimately recognized that only an amendment to the Constitution would grant all women the right to vote.  Amendments were introduced in 1878 and 1914, both of which were defeated.  By 1918, both political parties were committed to women’s suffrage, in part based on the major role women played in World War I.  As such, in January of 1918 and June of 1919, an amendment was passed by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate, respectively.  On August 18th, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, giving the two-thirds of state legislators necessary to ratify the amendment.  On August 26th, the Nineteenth Amendment became part of the Constitution, and stated the following:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.  Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Conservation Process: This pennant was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the pennant, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The pennant is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Medium Black with Gold Accents Frame. 

Condition Report: This pennant includes some minor bleeding of black into the yellow.  In all other respects, this pennant is bright and displays well.  It is among the very best of the remaining women’s suffrage pennants.    

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1910-1915