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On January 10, 1917 suffrage leaders from the Congressional Union, discouraged by President Wilson’s refusal to support the suffrage amendment, decided on a daring, attention-grabbing demonstration – picketing the White House. Silent Sentinels appeared at the White House gates, holding banners with such messages as “Mr. President, How Long Must Women Wait for Liberty?” and “Mr. President, What Will You Do for Woman Suffrage?,” braving cold, rain and snow in a desperate attempt to garner support for their cause.
And in another ironic twist, somewhere along the way Gardiner seems to have changed her mind about suffrage. Her 1924 obituary lists her as secretary of the National League of Women Voters.
It’s so important to rediscover our progenitors. And, in an example like that of Ruth Kimball Gardiner, to be reminded that Woman Suffrage was a multi-faceted, multi-grey-area’d issue–not simply either all Pro or all Anti.