AUGUST 28

On this date in 1917, exactly 100 years ago, 10 women were arrested outside of the White House. These women were suffragettes (women who were suffering) protesting the fact that they could not vote in national elections.

At the beginning of the year when Woodrow Wilson took office, the National Woman's Party started posting "Silent Sentinels of Liberty" outside the White House.  This was the first group to ever picket the White House.  By mid-year, the pickets were not so 'silent' and the government began cracking down on them.  By year's end, over 500 women were arrested and many were forced to serve time in jail.

The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote, passed the House of Representatives in 1918 but was not finally ratified until 1920.  We've come a long way, baby.
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