Earlier in the week Merriam-Webster reported that lookups for suffragette spiked by 11,000% on February 5th, 2019. It defines suffragette as a woman who worked to get voting rights for women in the past when women were not allowed to vote.
Why are people looking up suffragette?
The women’s suffrage movement in the U.S. began in the mid-19th century – the first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York during July, 1848. It was during the protest marches of the early 20th century, however, where the suffrage movement, and the women who marched and protested for it (suffragettes) gained visibility.
With an understanding of the impact of a visual message, the suffragettes wore white during their protest marches in Washington, D.C. and across the country.
Like their suffragette predecessors, the Democratic women of the 116th Congress understand the importance of visuals. In a salute to the suffragettes whose efforts paved the way for future women’s participation in elected government, Democratic congresswomen wore white en masse to the State of the Union address on February 5th, 2019.
The 116th Congress will be significant in women’s history for a couple of reasons. The largest number of women ever, 131, have been elected to serve in this Congress. This session of Congress will also see an important anniversary during its term – August 18, 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote.
The buzz that was created by congresswomen’s decision to wear white is something I think the suffragettes would have applauded as well.
poliRhetoric 