History of women's suffrage in Rhode Island
Suffrage workers visit the Rhode Island governor at state house to urge early ratification of19th Amendment , July 15, 1919 This is atimeline of women's suffrage in Rhode Island .Women's suffrage inRhode Island started with women's rights activities, such as convention planning and publications of women's rights journals. The first women's suffrage group in Rhode Island was founded in 1868. A women's suffrage amendment was decided byreferendum on April 6, 1887, but it failed by a large amount. Finally, in 1917, Rhode Island women gained the right to vote in presidential elections. On January 6, 1920, Rhode Island became the twenty-fourth state toratify theNineteenth Amendment .
Rhode Island Women Address ofElizabeth Buffum Chace Before the Rhode Island Woman Suffrage Association in October 1891 1850
1852
1853
1868
1869
1873
Three women run unsuccessfully for school committee office: Elizabeth Churchill,Sarah Doyle , and Rhoda Peckham.[ 2] 1874
Three women are elected to the Providence School Committee: Anna E. Aldrich, Elizabeth C. Hicks and Abby D. Slocum.[ 2] 1884
1885
A women's suffrage amendment bill is introduced by RepresentativeEdward L. Freeman in the General Assembly.[ 5] 1886
The women's suffrage amendment passes both houses of the General Assembly. It has to pass one more time to be valid.[ 5] 1887
The women's suffrage amendment again passes both houses and will now go out for a voter referendum.[ 5] April 6 : The election for the amendment is held, but it fails.[ 6] August 11 : TheNew England Woman Suffrage Association (NEWSA) held a conference in the Casino Theatre in Newport.[ 7] 1892
A "special appeal" goes before the general assembly for women in Rhode Island to vote in presidential elections.[ 8] 1895
1897
A commission to revise the state constitution is appointed by the governor.[ 8] May 11 : Suffragists present their objections to the Constitutional Committee.[ 8] Woman suffrage gathering at the NewportMarble House ofAlva Belmont on September 12, 1909 1902
Suffragists in Rhode Island get the endorsement of the State Central Trades and Labor Unions.[ 9] 1903
1907
1908
Cora Mitchell forms the Newport County Woman Suffrage League.[ 12] 1909
1912
A branch of the Rhode Island Association in Opposition to Woman Suffrage is formed in Newport.[ 14] 1913
1914
1915
1914
Wife of GovernorCharles Warren Lippitt , Margaret Farnum Lippitt, testifies against women's presidential suffrage at the Senate General Assembly.[ 18] 1916
"Women of Rhode Island You Can Vote for the Next President" 1917 broadside February 17 : A luncheon at the Naragansett Hotel is held in honor ofCarrie Chapman Catt .[ 19] March 6 : The Congressional Union of Providence, Rhode Island is formed.[ 17] The Rhode Island Union of Colored Women's Clubs endorses a federal suffrage amendment.[ 20] 1917
February 8 : Another presidential suffrage bill is introduced.[ 21] April 11 : The presidential bill passes the general assembly Senate.[ 21] April 17 : The presidential suffrage bill passes both houses.[ 21] April 18 : GovernorRobert Livingston Beeckman signs the presidential suffrage bill.[ 21] 1920
1928
Rhode Island abolishes the requirement of property-owning being tied to suffrage.[ 18] ^a b Stevens, Elizabeth C."The Struggle for Woman Suffrage in Rhode Island" .EnCompass . RetrievedSeptember 28, 2020 . ^a b c d DeSimone, Russell (July 3, 2020)."Rhode Island's Long Quest for Women's Suffrage" .Small State Big History . RetrievedSeptember 28, 2020 . ^a b c d e f Manning, Lucinda (2001)."Records of the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island" .Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division . revised by Kim Nusco. RetrievedSeptember 28, 2020 . ^ "Elizabeth Buffum Chace, Inducted 2002" .Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame . RetrievedSeptember 28, 2020 .^a b c d Anthony & Harper 1902 , p. 909.^ Anthony & Harper 1902 , p. 911.^ "Newport Woman Suffrage Association" .Newport Mercury . August 6, 1887. p. 1. RetrievedOctober 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.^a b c d Anthony & Harper 1902 , p. 912.^ Harper 1922 , p. 565.^ Harper 1922 , p. 565-566.^ "Died" .The New York Age . July 9, 1914. p. 8. RetrievedOctober 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.^ Harper 1922 , p. 577.^ Harper 1922 , p. 567.^ "Opposed to Suffrage" .Newport Daily News . October 11, 1912. p. 5. RetrievedOctober 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.^ Miller, Elisa (2018)."Biographical Sketch of Bertha G. Higgins" .Biographical Database of Black Woman Suffragists – via Alexander Street. ^ "America's Suffragette Movement began with a Tea Party" .Boston Tea Party Ships . RetrievedOctober 1, 2020 .^a b DeSimone, Russell (January 11, 2020)."Rhode Island's Two Unheralded Suffragists" .Small State Big History . RetrievedSeptember 28, 2020 . ^a b "Suffrage Timeline" .Lippit House Project . RetrievedSeptember 30, 2020 .^ Harper 1922 , p. 570.^ "Resolution of the R.I. Union Colored Women's Clubs Supporting the Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment" .DocsTeach . RetrievedSeptember 29, 2020 .^a b c d Harper 1922 , p. 576.^ "Rhode Island and the 19th Amendment" .U.S. National Park Service . RetrievedSeptember 28, 2020 .
