Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice

06/05/2026

“But history also shows that many people from diverse backgrounds have organized to bring the country closer to true equality.”

Check out the full article published by the National Council on Public History from APC assistant director of public programs Olivia Errico on our temporary exhibit Feminist Revolutions:

The exhibit "Feminist Revolutions" at the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice examines the contributions of the feminist movement to American society and the ongoing work of gender justice.

06/04/2026

Today marks the 107th anniversary of the Senate’s approval of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This landmark decision was the culmination of decades of tireless activism and dedication from countless suffragists who fought for equality and justice.

As we honor the incredible women who paved the way for this significant achievement, we are reminded of the importance of their relentless efforts in advocating for the rights of all citizens. The passage of the 19th Amendment transformed our democracy, expanding the electorate and empowering women to have a say in shaping the future of our nation.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that the fight for equality did not end with this amendment. Many women of color still faced barriers to voting for decades, and it wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that true legal equality was achieved.

On this anniversary, let us not only celebrate our progress but also commit to continuing the struggle for justice and equality in all forms. Every voice matters in shaping our democracy, and we must remain vigilant in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be heard. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future for all. 💜

06/02/2026

In 1917, members of the National Woman’s Party were arrested for peacefully protesting outside of the White House. Many were sent to the Occoquan Workhouse where they were imprisoned for exercising their freedom of speech. Using their bodies as instruments of resistance, NWP members went on a hunger strike to raise awareness of the brutality they faced behind bars.

Their protest was met with torture as prison authorities employed the use of force feeding three times a day for weeks on end, a tactic now widely established to be a war crime. News of the hunger strikes sparked intense public backlash against Woodrow Wilson’s administration with articles sweeping the nation outlining the brutality faced by the suffragists. By January of 1918, the growing outrage and sustained public pressure forced Wilson to finally publicly endorse women’s suffrage.

Today, nearly 300 people detained at Delaney Hall Ice Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey are using the same tactic as the suffragists did over a century ago. Through hunger and labor strikes, they raise awareness of the cruel and inhumane conditions of the facility and fight for their freedom.

The contexts are different, but the act of resistance is the same. While those who don’t study history can claim, “hunger strikes never work,” we know they have the power to change the constitution.

05/26/2026

So grateful to our amazing volunteers, who help educate the public about the legacy of Alice and the women's movement.

Visitors to Paulsdale, the birthplace of suffragist Alice Stokes Paul, learn about her Quaker upbringing and her pivotal role in securing women's voting rights through the 19th Amendment. Steve Lubetkin, SBN news director, recently interviewed guide Mary Kimport during a tour of the historic farmhou...

05/21/2026

People often described the Movement of 2017 as unprecedented. But as Dr. Leigh Gilmore explained in our latest Champions of Equality, grew out a larger tradition of anti-rape activism among Black women.

Join us for our next Champions of Equality on June 9th for a conversation with Dr. Alice Alvarado about Alice Paul’s Quaker background and its influence on her fight for equality.

Subscribe on Patreon via the link in bio.

05/20/2026

Last week, we had a former Paulsdale resident visit the site and shared memories of living here with his family as a young child. During the conversation, he reflected on how deeply strong women influenced his life from an early age and how those values always resonated with his Quaker upbringing. Hearing personal stories about daily life at Paulsdale offered another layer of understanding about the environment and community that shaped Alice’s worldview. These conversations remind us that the history of Paulsdale lives not only through Alice’s story, but also through the experiences of the people and families connected to this place across generations.

05/15/2026

Over the past month, we’ve welcomed nearly 600 Mount Laurel second graders to Paulsdale to learn about democracy through Alice’s story — and through the farm itself.

During one part of the program, we ask students what they’d like to be when they grow up. One little girl raised her hand and said, “I think I’ll be the President because if Alice could help people, I can too.”

These are the moments that fuel our mission.

Helping young people deepen their understanding of voting, civic participation, and the role they can play in shaping their communities is core to our work — and to advancing equality for all people.

For details about our K-12 programs visit our website at www.alicepaul.org.

05/11/2026

What an unforgettable evening at the Preserving Paulsdale Dinner on May 8th. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised over $28,000 to support the ongoing operations and preservation of historic Paulsdale.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and continues to believe in the importance of preserving this historic home and the legacy it represents. Special thanks to our co-hosts, Marlene and Carlos Bollar, whose tremendous support and generosity helped make the evening such a success.

The future of Paulsdale is brighter because of all of you— cheers!

05/05/2026

In 1978, thousands gathered in Washington, D.C. to demand passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Organized by the National Organization for Women, the march helped drive momentum to extend the ERA’s ratification deadline.

Participants wore the message. ERA t-shirts with bold, screen-printed lettering were produced by organizers and widely shared. Buttons and handmade pieces appeared alongside them, turning clothing into a visible sign of support.

These objects now serve as historical evidence. Material culture like clothing and signage documents how people showed up and how the movement was seen in public space.

We love seeing Hayley Williams of Paramore reference this history in her recent merch, inspired by a 1978 ERA march shirt.

Photo 2: MOHAI Museum

05/04/2026

The movement inspired millions to testify to the widespread experience of sexual violence. More broadly, it shifted the deeply ingrained response to women’s accounts of sexual violence from doubting all of them to believing some of them. What changed?

Join us for our next Champions of Equality on May 12th with scholar Leigh Gilmore about her work on the movement.

To join the conversation, subscribe to APC on Patreon. For $5 a month, you get access to recordngs of each session of Champions of Equality. For $7 a month, you can join our Champions of Equality livestream. Subscribe now here: https://www.patreon.com/AlicePaulCenter?utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan.