"To me, there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality."
~ Alice Paul
Alice Paul was a fearless leader in the women's suffrage movement and played a pivotal role in getting the 19th Amendment passed.
As the daughter of a prominent Quaker businessman and a suffragist, a young Alice was instilled with the idea of equal rights. Growing to become a brilliant woman, she received a Bachelor's in Biology, a Master's in Sociology, a Ph.D. in Economics, and a Bachelor's in Law. Before pursuing her Ph.D., Paul received a fellowship to study social work in England. It was there that she discovered her passion and skill for suffrage work.
While in England, Paul became familiar with the confrontational tactics of the British suffrage movement. She participated in protests that included picket lines, marches, and hunger strikes. These strategies inspired Paul, and when she returned to the States, she fought to amend the U.S. Constitution using the tactics she had learned in England.
On March 3, 1913, the day before President Woodrow Wilson's inauguration, Paul organized the first and largest march for women's suffrage. About 8,000 individuals marched down Pennsylvania Avenue carrying banners and flags demanding women get the right to vote. After the march, President Wilson met with the women and told them he did not think it was a good time to amend the Constitution.
Paul was furious and began campaigning against him.
"Mr. President, how long must women wait to get their liberty?"
~ Alice Paul
Paul organized many protests against President Wilson, ensuring the public knew he was against the suffrage movement. The most notable protest was the Silent Sentinels. Two thousand female protesters peacefully protested before the White House, carrying their banners in complete silence. The protest continued for two years; throughout that time, over 150 women were arrested on obstruction of traffic charges. While in jail, the women were horribly mistreated, including being painfully force-fed when they went on hunger strike. Paul was even placed in a psychiatric ward on charges of insanity. However, it wasn't all for nothing, their mistreatment garnered public support for their cause and eventually led to President Wilson declaring support for the 19th Amendment.
On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. Having played a significant role in making this happen, Paul was overjoyed, but she wasn't done. She almost immediately began writing the Equal Rights Amendment, guaranteeing the constitutional right to protection from discrimination. Unfortunately, this never passed, but Paul kept fighting for equality until she passed away at 92.
In 2012, the Mint released the First Spouse coin for President Chester Arthur. However, the coin did not picture an image of his wife. Unfortunately, his wife, Ellen, tragically passed away before Arthur was elected, so she was never technically a First Spouse. Because of this, the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 specified that Alice Paul's image be used instead. Interestingly, this is the first and only coin in the series to feature a different woman instead of a picture of Liberty for a spouseless president.
Public law 109-145 stated that the coin would honor Paul, "a leading strategist in the suffrage movement, who was instrumental in gaining women the right to vote upon the adoption of the 19th amendment." The coin's obverse features a portrait of Paul with a signature determined look on her face. It also includes her name and title, "Suffragist." The reverse of this coin features a beautiful image of Paul proudly marching, carrying a flag, and wearing a "Votes for Women" sash. This coin accurately represents Alice Paul by embodying her spirit and determination.