Alice Paul: Claiming Power

Alice Paul was a passionate and outspoken leader of the woman suffrage movement, reinvigorating the American campaign for a constitutional suffrage amendment in 1913 and driving it to victory with bold, controversial action. Her Quaker upbringing was the greatest influence in her commitment to women's rights, but her political zeal developed from years of education and early involvement with British suffragists Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst. This biography analyzes Paul's charisma and leadership qualities, sheds new light on her life and work, and is essential reading for anyone interested in the woman suffrage movement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Alice Paul's impact on American political history is undeniable. Born in Moorestown, New Jersey, to Quaker parents, she emerged as a passionate and unwavering advocate for women's suffrage. In 1913, she revitalized the American campaign for a constitutional suffrage amendment, and over the next seven years, she dominated the movement, leading it to a historic victory through bold and controversial actions. Paul's early years and suffrage activism provide a unique insight into her private persona and public image, exploring the sources of her ambition and the growth of her political consciousness. While many historians attribute her Quaker upbringing as the primary influence on her commitment to women's rights, J. D. Zahniser and Amelia R. Fry delve into the ways in which her political zeal emerged from years of education and her early involvement with British suffragists Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst. These two women played a crucial role in honing Paul's instincts and skills, preparing her for her later confrontations with political adversaries such as Woodrow Wilson and rival suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt.

Through oral history interviews and a comprehensive examination of Paul's correspondence, Zahniser and Fry significantly revise our understanding of Paul's role in the suffrage movement. This captivating biography delves into Paul's charisma and leadership qualities, shedding new light on her life and work. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the woman suffrage movement, particularly as the American centennial of the women's vote approaches.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190932930