Women's suffrage in Pennsylvania

rdf:langString Women's suffrage in Pennsylvania

rdf:langString Women's suffrage in Pennsylvania was an outgrowth of the abolitionist movement in the state. Early women's suffrage advocates in Pennsylvania not only wanted equal suffrage for white women, but for all African Americans. The first women's rights convention in the state was organized by Quakers and held in Chester County in 1852. Philadelphia would host the fifth National Women's Rights Convention in 1854. Later years saw suffragists forming a statewide group, the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association (PWSA) and other smaller groups throughout the state. Early efforts moved slowly, but steadily, with suffragists raising awareness and winning endorsements from labor unions. In 1915, Pennsylvania had a voter referendum on women's suffrage. The campaign for the vote, held on November 2, was large. It included suffragists from around the country, the publication of , the casting of a "Justice Bell," and major car parades. The Justice Bell, as well as many suffragists accompanying it visited every county in Pennsylvania and traveled 3,935 miles on the back of a truck. Despite the efforts, women's suffrage failed at the polls. After the referendum failed, suffragists continued to raise money and work towards their goals. Some Pennsylvania suffragists joined the National Woman's Party (NWP) and protested outside the White House. Pennsylvania became the seventh state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment on June 24, 1919. Women in the state voted for the first time on November 2, 1920 and the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Pennsylvania was formed on November 18, 1920.