Ep 7. One Woman, One Vote

At the turn of the 20th century, women in America were denied the right to vote, but a determined group of suffragists fought tirelessly for their right to be heard at the ballot box. "One Woman, One Vote," an episode of American Experience, explores their struggle and the complex and often oppositional attitudes towards women's suffrage during this time.

With commentary from historians, politicians, and descendants of suffragists, the episode traces the movement's history back to the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention in New York, where women's rights were first formally declared. From there, the show follows the suffrage movement's ups and downs, including the fallout from the Civil War, which temporarily took attention away from women's issues, and the split in the movement over whether to pursue a federal or state-by-state approach to voting rights.

The episode also delves into the personalities and tactics of some of the most prominent suffragists, such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone, as well as their detractors, including anti-suffrage politicians and women who believed that voting would undermine traditional gender roles. "One Woman, One Vote" presents a nuanced portrait of these figures and their motivations, highlighting the complex political and ideological forces that shaped the movement.

The show vividly portrays the suffragists' perseverance and cunning, as they worked to sway public opinion and navigate a male-dominated political landscape. Along the way, viewers learn about the creative ways suffragists used to draw attention to their cause, such as parades, picketing, and hunger strikes, as well as the challenges they faced, from violent opposition to imprisonment and force-feeding.

Ultimately, the episode culminates in the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. "One Woman, One Vote" provides a compelling account of this landmark victory, but also acknowledges that the fight for women's equality did not end there. It addresses how the suffrage movement intersected with issues of race and class and raises important questions about the ongoing struggle for gender equity in America.

Overall, "One Woman, One Vote" is a thought-provoking and informative episode of American Experience that offers an engaging look at a critical moment in American history. By contextualizing the suffrage movement within its historical, political, and social milieu, the show invites viewers to reflect on the ways in which this struggle for voting rights continues to resonate today.