# Alice Paul

> American suffragist, feminist, and activist (1885–1977)

**Wikidata**: [Q127328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127328)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Paul)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alice-paul

## Summary
Alice Paul was an American suffragist, feminist, and activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She co-founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage and led the Silent Sentinels, advocating for women's right to vote through civil disobedience and direct action. Her work helped secure the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote.

## Biography
- Born: January 11, 1885, in Jacksonville, Illinois
- Nationality: American
- Education: Attended Swarthmore College, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University Law Center, and American University
- Known for: Leading the Silent Sentinels and advocating for women's suffrage through civil disobedience
- Employer(s): Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage, National Woman's Party
- Field(s): Women's rights activism, feminism, political advocacy

## Contributions
- Co-founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage in 1913, a key organization in the U.S. suffrage movement.
- Led the Silent Sentinels, a group of women who picketed the White House to demand the vote, including a 1917 march that resulted in arrests.
- Advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment, which was introduced in Congress in 1923.
- Published writings and speeches advocating for women's political rights and social equality.
- Received the Hunger Strike Medal for her activism during the suffragette movement.

## FAQs
### What was Alice Paul's role in the women's suffrage movement?
Alice Paul was a co-founder of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage and a leader of the Silent Sentinels, a group of women who picketed the White House to demand the vote. She advocated for women's suffrage through civil disobedience and direct action, helping to secure the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

### Where did Alice Paul work?
Alice Paul was affiliated with the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage and the National Woman's Party, both of which were key organizations in the women's suffrage movement.

### What methods did Alice Paul use to advocate for women's suffrage?
Alice Paul and the Silent Sentinels used direct action, including picketing the White House and civil disobedience, to demand women's right to vote. These methods were more confrontational than the traditional suffrage movement and helped push the issue into the public consciousness.

### What awards did Alice Paul receive?
Alice Paul received the Hunger Strike Medal for her activism during the suffragette movement, recognizing her contributions to the cause.

## Why They Matter
Alice Paul's leadership in the women's suffrage movement had a profound impact on women's political rights in the United States. Her advocacy through direct action, including picketing the White House and civil disobedience, helped shift public opinion and pressure the government to grant women the vote. Her work laid the groundwork for future feminist movements and influenced the broader struggle for gender equality. Without her leadership, the women's suffrage movement might have progressed more slowly, and women's political rights in the U.S. could still be restricted.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage, a key organization in the U.S. suffrage movement.
- Leader of the Silent Sentinels, advocating for women's suffrage through direct action.
- Received the Hunger Strike Medal for her activism during the suffragette movement.
- Played a pivotal role in the women's rights activist movement, influencing future generations of feminists.
- Advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment, which was introduced in Congress in 1923.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885, in Jacksonville, Illinois. She attended Swarthmore College, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University Law Center, and American University, where she studied law and political science. Her early education laid the foundation for her later work in women's rights activism.

### Activism and Leadership
Alice Paul co-founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage in 1913, a key organization in the U.S. suffrage movement. She led the Silent Sentinels, a group of women who picketed the White House to demand the vote. One of her most notable actions was the 1917 march to the White House, which resulted in arrests and brought national attention to the suffrage cause.

### Advocacy and Direct Action
Paul advocated for women's suffrage through direct action, including civil disobedience and hunger strikes. These methods were more confrontational than the traditional suffrage movement and helped push the issue into the public consciousness. Her activism led to her imprisonment and the Hunger Strike Medal, recognizing her contributions to the cause.

### Affiliations and Influence
Alice Paul was affiliated with the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage and the National Woman's Party, contributing to the women's suffrage movement. Her work in these organizations helped shape the broader political landscape of the time. She was also a key figure in the women's rights activist movement, influencing future generations of feminists.

### Legacy and Impact
Alice Paul's leadership in the women's suffrage movement had a lasting impact on women's political rights in the United States. Her advocacy through direct action helped pave the way for women's suffrage and influenced the broader struggle for gender equality. Her legacy continues to inspire feminist movements and activists around the world.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nps.gov/people/alice-paul.htm)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/alice-paul)
4. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alice-Paul)
5. [Source](https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/alice-paul/)
6. [Source](https://www.cwhf.org/inductees/alice-paul)
7. [Source](https://www.njwla.org/new-jersey-womens-hall-of-fame/)
8. [Source](https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2010-inductees/alice-paul/)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. National Register of Historic Places
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Find a Grave
14. Paul, Alice (11 January 1885–09 July 1977), women's rights leader
15. FemBio database
16. Library of Congress Authorities
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Virtual International Authority File