The Womanly Woman & Mother
Womanliness
Being womanly is primary to women’s social identity. So, both suffragists and anti-suffragists drew on aspects of being womanly to make their arguments.
Motherhood
Motherhood was a dual-edge sword. It was central to womanly identity and source of feminine power. But it also was used to define and regulate female sexuality and to keep women in the private sphere. As a result, sentimental images of motherhood could argue either for or against suffrage . . . for the sake of the children.
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Being womanly is primary to women’s social identity. So, both suffragists and anti-suffragists drew on aspects of being womanly to make their arguments.
- Anti-suffragists used womanliness to maintain the feminine norm. They saw this as necessary to maintaining economic and class dominance, and the future of the race.
- Suffragists used womanliness as the key to social reform. Being a woman provided moral authority to enter the public sphere and humanize it with womanly virtues.
Motherhood
Motherhood was a dual-edge sword. It was central to womanly identity and source of feminine power. But it also was used to define and regulate female sexuality and to keep women in the private sphere. As a result, sentimental images of motherhood could argue either for or against suffrage . . . for the sake of the children.
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The Mascot
Wearing a uniform, a womanly woman proudly bears a yellow "Votes for Women" sash. The putto, Puck, the top-hat wearing mascot of Puck magazine, approves. He glances at the pretty suffragist with mischievous eyes. The uniform suggests the military, a typically male realm. It may foreshadow America's involvement in World War I.
-Pro-suffrage illustration
The Mascot. Artist, Rolf Armstrong. Photomechanical print. Published in Puck Magazine, Feb. 20, 1915. Miscellaneous Items in High Demand Collection, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2011660532/
Woman's Sphere, Two Suffrage Cartoons
In the first cartoon, a womanly woman looks over a confining fence labeled "Woman's Sphere.” While she looks for more meaningful activity, her toys, fashion and gossip, lay unattended. Caption reads: "Give her broader interests and she will cease to be vain and frivolous."
In the second cartoon, a womanly woman casts her ballot with her baby nearby in a carriage. She shows that voting and motherhood are not in conflict.
-Pro-suffrage political cartoons
Woman's Sphere: Suffrage cartoons. Artist,Merle De Vore Johnson. Circa 1909. Publication unknown.Miller NAWSA Suffrage Scrapbooks, 1897-1911,Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Washington, D.C. 20540. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.rbc/rbcmil.scrp5015401
I Want to Speak for Myself at the Polls
A womanly woman in traditional garb and hairstyle taps on Uncle Sam's shoulder. Using her feminine wiles for persuasion, she lifts her skirt and sweetly says, "I Want to Speak for Myself at the Polls." Uncle Sam, with his back to her, appears deep in thought. This traditional womanly woman suggests her voting won’t upset marriage and love.
-Pro-suffrage postcard
I Want to Speak for Myself at the Polls. 1915. NAWSA comic postcard. Published by Campbell Art Co.; circulated by the National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
She's Good Enough for Me
Uncle Sam appears to have made up his mind as he holds a womanly woman at arms length and studies her. He gives his symbolic approval saying, "She's good enough for me."
-Pro-suffrage postcard
She's Good Enough for Me. 1915. NAWSA comic postcard. Published by Campbell Art Co.; circulated by the National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
Suffrage First!
The child-woman uses sex as her tool of persuasion. She leans back from the eager young suitor, who brings her flowers and leans in for a kiss or hug. Holding up her hand, she stops him with the message, "Suffrage First!" This image suggests a revised feminine norm, traditional relations in exchange for men’s support of suffrage.
-Pro-suffrage postcard
Suffrage First! She's Good Enough for Me. 1915. NAWSA comic postcard. Published by Campbell Art Co.; circulated by the National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
Do I Get Your Vote?
Kewpie marches on her cloud with a "Votes for Women" sign over her shoulder, wearing a yellow Votes for Women sash and a pink polka dotted apron. She asks, "Do I Get Your Vote? A popular figure based on Cupid, Kewpie reassures. Voting mothers are no threat to love or the future of the race.
-Pro-suffrage postcard
Do I Get Your Vote? 1914. NAWSA comic postcard. Published by Campbell Art Co.; circulated by the National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
The Spirit of '76
Three Kewpie's, two drummers, and one fife player, march through the air in front of a yellow "Votes for Women" flag. Based on the Spirit of '76 painting, this image links suffrage and patriotism. With tiny wings, big eyes and innocent nakedness, the Kewpies reassure. Voting women and voting mothers are no threat to the nation.
-Pro-suffrage postcard
The Spirit of '76. 1915. NAWSA comic postcard. Published by Campbell Art Co.; circulated by the National Woman Suffrage Publishing Co. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
Mummy's a Suffragette
Images of babies could be turned to argue against suffrage as well. A distressed and screaming infant dressed in a clown collar, presents the argument that having a suffragette for a mother is a problem worth hollering about.
-Anti-suffrage postcard
Mummy's a Suffragette. Postcard. Artist, Date, and Publisher unknown. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
What! You Think a Man Could Do It As Well
Looking up from reading her newspaper with a humorous expression, a toddler-age girl peers over her too-large wire-rim reading glasses. As a competent women acting in the public sphere, she quips, "What! You think a man could do it as well." Use of the image of a non-threatening toddler eases the fear that voting women will upset the established sexual order.
-Photographed pro-suffrage postcard
"What! You Think a Man Could Do It As Well. Circa 1907. Postcard. Dainty Woman Suffrage Series. Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
