Equal Suffrage League (St. Louis)
[3] The movement gained momentum when Ethel Arnold, a well known suffragette leader in England, made her first tour of America in 1910.
A few women in St. Louis (among whom there was Amabel Anderson Arnold, director of the Woman's Department at the University of Chicago Law School, the first woman holding such office in the United States) organized a visit for Edith Arnold to the city and raised funds to cover her charge and the rent of a hall.
Fifty women responded and the group first met on April 10, 1910, establishing the St. Louis Equal Suffrage League.
A new organization, a Business Woman's League was formed in 1912 that was called to action immediately to demonstrate at a Milliner's Convention in St. Louis.
St. Louis women held street meetings and demonstrated at the County Fair, giving speeches from decorated automobiles.
[4] The Business Woman's Suffrage League was led by Mary McGuire, a graduate of St. Louis University Law School, and Miss Jessie Lansing Moller.
[3] By 1913, the attitude towards woman suffrage seemed to be shifting, with support from the Farmer's Alliance, the State Teacher's Association, Prohibitionists, Single Taxers, and leading papers.
"[1] The "walkless, talkless parade" was made up of about 7,000 women who lined both sides of Locust Street for about ten blocks.
[3] Another demonstration was staged on the steps of the St. Louis Art Museum, with women representing states of the union arranged by their levels of support for woman suffrage.
They protested the repeal of the Federal Child Labor Law and investigated the high cost of milk, among other actions.
[5] By 1919, the St. Louis League was successful enough to invite the National Suffrage Association to hold the Golden Jubilee in the city.
[1] St. Louis League President Christine Fordyce appealed to the legislature in a speech saying, "fifty years ago my grandmother came before the Missouri legislature and asked for the enfranchisement of women; twenty-five years ago, my mother came to make the same request; tonight I am asking for the ballot for women.
[5] The Missouri legislature ratified the Susan B. Anthony Amendment to the U.S. Constitution during a special session in July of that year.
[5] The people of St. Louis wanted to celebrate the historical occasion, and a picnic supper was held in Forest Park, with a reception following at the Municipal Theatre.
Suffragists in St. Louis requested time during the program to express their gratitude for Missouri's ratification of the amendment.
