ROCKLAND POST DESK
When Women Took to the Streets for the Vote
On March 3, 1913, the streets of Washington, D.C., were filled with thousands of women marching for a cause denied for generations: the right to vote. The Woman Suffrage Procession, organized by Alice Paul and the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), was timed the day before President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration to maximize political impact.
Women carried banners and signs proclaiming “Votes for Women.” The march faced violent opposition from onlookers, and police largely failed to protect the participants. News of the harassment helped garner national attention, pushing the issue of women’s voting rights into the public and political spotlight. This march was a key moment in the struggle that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote across the United States.
Beyond 1920: What the March Means Today
While the 19th Amendment was monumental, many women of color still faced barriers to voting for decades afterward. The march serves as a reminder that rights must be actively protected and exercised. Today, it resonates in movements for gender equality, civil rights, and ensuring full participation in democracy.
Rockland County Women Who Left Their Mark
Ida Augusta Craft – Suffragist and Activist
Ida A. Craft, who lived in Pearl River, Rockland County, was an American suffragist and social activist involved in national suffrage hikes and political equality leagues long before the 19th Amendment.
Caroline Lexow Babcock – Nyack Suffragist and Pacifist
Born in Nyack, Caroline Lexow Babcock co-founded the Women’s Peace Union and continued advocating for women’s rights and peace throughout her life.
Natalie Couch – Local Trailblazer
Natalie Couch was the first woman in Rockland County to vote and the first woman to practice law locally, helping pave the way for future generations.
Modern Local Leaders – Bernice Glass & Lottie Swan-Crawford
Bernice Glass and Lottie Swan-Crawford advanced equality in Rockland through leadership in law enforcement, human rights, and civil rights activism, continuing the legacy of women challenging injustice locally.
Why This Matters Today
The 1913 march and the efforts of Rockland County women illustrate that change often begins locally. Their courage and activism remind us that civic engagement matters. Protecting and exercising the right to vote, and ensuring access for all citizens, continues to strengthen democracy.