Today in 1915: Over 250,000 Suffragists Took Over Fifth Avenue

[niyad]

Today in 1915: Over 250,000 Suffragists Took Over Fifth Avenue





Though the male voters of the Empire State will decide 10 days from now whether New York will become an equal suffrage State, Fifth Avenue was certainly woman suffrage territory this afternoon. No matter what happens on Election Day, the most vivid and long-lasting memory any local suffragist will have of this campaign will be of the unprecedented turnout today and the flawless way in which every participant performed.

Making bold predictions of a record-breaking number of marchers for a parade is always a very risky move. A moderate-sized procession could be described in the newspapers as a “disappointing turnout,” and in this case, coming so soon before a vote, such headlines could have dimmed the chances for passage of the upcoming suffrage referendum.

But much to the relief of organizers – and all who favor equal suffrage – the optimistic forecasts were at the very least fulfilled today, and in the opinion of some, exceeded. New Yorkers saw a spectacle that will long be remembered by both participants and spectators, and which must have made a highly favorable impression on undecided voters, and even on some of the movement’s skeptics.

Yesterday, organizers announced that 47,230 people had signed pledges to march. But according to Police Inspector Myers, in charge of the traffic squads, there were 50,000 in the streets today. Chief Inspector Schmittberger estimated at least 35,000 marchers, and said the crowd numbered 250,000. Other estimates went as high as 60,000 marchers. But though anti-suffrage groups are claiming there were fewer marchers, there won’t be much time wasted quibbling over numbers, because absolutely no one doubts this was the largest suffrage parade in history, and a truly stunning procession.

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http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2014/10/23/today-in-1915-over-250000-suffragists-took-over-fifth-avenue/

[theHandpuppet]

1. Wow!

I can only imagine how exciting that must have been.

[niyad]

2. and look at the coverage it got. when nearly a MILLION women marched a few years ago,

it was basically crickets from the woman-hating msm.