The Essential Role of Detroit-Based Organizations in Women's Suffrage

The stories of the national movement for women’s suffrage are well acknowledged, leading the charge state by state until the passage of the 19^th amendment in 1920. However, the praises seem to hardly be sung of the vast variety of grassroots movements that really changed the hearts and minds of the American populous. The state of Michigan’s movement in particular relied heavily upon the cooperation of local suffrage organizations and the coalitions that formed between various women’s clubs as they integrated into the movement for full state suffrage.

Through extensive research within Detroit’s archives in the Burton Historical Collection looking at first-hand accounts of activism and grass roots organizations, as well as a collective commentary from secondary sources, research has shown that local organizations in Michigan were the most effective and impactful aspect of the state wide suffrage movement and a positive model for other states, as well as the national organizations. This is especially true of the associations in Wayne County and most notably, the work of Detroit-based suffragists. My work analyzes the hard work of Detroit-based organizations in the Michigan suffrage movement, as representatives for the impact of many local organizations, from the formation of the movement to the state constitutional amendment in 1918. It will feature a variety of photos pulled from multiple archives in Detroit depicting these women in their respective roles and their campaigning tools.

In a time where social movements for political change seem to be more popular and effective than ever, it’s important to track the roots of revolution and question just how such a massive change can occur. No movement ever finds its success overnight, nor does it flourish via a single entity. There are multiple branches at work, struggles within the movement, and different levels of activism being fulfilled. Looking at the role of everyday women who formed a collective effort for Michigan suffrage helps us contextualize where these successes derive from.