Kittell – Women’s Suffrage Cleveland Meeting: Analysis of a Primary Source

Sourcing 

What 

This photo is of a Women’s Suffrage Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. The women photographed were members of the Cuyahoga County Women’s Suffrage Association. This association later changed their name to the Cleveland League of Women Voters in 1920 and placed efforts in ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment and educating local women on voting.

Where

When 

This photo was taken during the Women’s Suffrage Movement, between the time of 1900-1929.

Who/Creator

While the original photographer of the photo is unknown, the photo is taken from the Cleveland Memory Project at Cleveland State University.

Contextualization

The women in the photograph advocated for the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in Cleveland and surrounding cities. In their work, they held conventions, encouraged women to participate in politics, educated women on issues, and endorsed legislation concerning education, child welfare, and women in the workforce. Because of their efforts, they were able to establish equal rights and treatment of women that continue today.

Corroboration

To better understand this photograph, historians can look at outcomes that came about the Cleveland League of Women Voters efforts in establishing voting rights and equality for women. This information can include the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, rate of women votes overtime, and support gathered on this issue in the Cleveland area. This data will allow historians to better understand and confirm the historical thinking relating to the photograph.

Additional Sources 

• “19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women’s Right to Vote (1920),” College Park Maryland, National Archives. Assessed October 13, 2022. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/19th-amendment
  • This document outlines the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. It highlights the efforts taken by women and supporters such as protests and organizations that helped achieve women gaining the right to vote.
• Igielnik, Ruth. “Men and Women in the U.S. Continue to Differ in Voter Turnout Rate, Party Identification,” August 18, 2020. Washington D.C., Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/18/men-and-women-in-the-u-s-continue-to-differ-in-voter-turnout-rate-party-identification/
  • This article looks into the data of women voters over time. The study begins with the 1980 election and notes that women voting turnout has been increasingly higher than men.