IMPORTANT AND RARE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE SILENT SENTINELS STERLING AWARD PIN.
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Winning Bid:
$1,362.90
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 10:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Tuesday, March 13, 2018 10:00:00 PM)
Item Description
3/4x1-1/2" long sterling silver pin-back made to resemble a protest banner reading "Without Extinction Is Liberty." The NWP formed in 1916. Led by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns the group was solely devoted to the passage of a constitutional amendment to ensure women's suffrage. Starting early in 1917 the group began the six days a week protest in front of the White House remaining despite weather conditions and threats of violence until the Nineteenth Amendment was passed on June 4, 1919. Known for their banners with inflammatory text aimed directly at Wilson and their silence while protesting, the women came to be known as the Silent Sentinels. In June of 1917 many began to be arrested for obstructing traffic. Rather than pay fines they opted for jail time and were sent to the Occoquan Workhouse where they were treated in cruel fashion. Alice Paul was once placed in solitary confinement for two weeks and only fed bread and water. When she was sent to the prison hospital because she could no longer walk she began a hunger strike with others following. The jailers force fed the strikers and the abuse reached its peak on the night of Nov. 14, 1917 when 40 guards were ordered to attack and beat the group. Subsequent coverage by newspapers across the country helped to swing support nationally for a suffrage amendment. The present item is one of an estimated 150-200 awards that were given to members of the NWP who picketed the White House. Reverse has been slightly altered by a jeweler long ago for preservation. The pole was soldiered to the banner when the tiny silver loop, designed to keep the banner centered, came loose on reverse. The banner no longer dangles and is fixed to the pole. VF w/front displaying Exc. A rare and important piece of suffrage history.
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