This photograph shows picketers marching from the National Women’s Party headquarters to their posts in front of the White House.
In January 1917, members of the National Woman's Party (NWP) became the first people to picket the White House. Protesting the government's failure to pass a constitutional amendment enfranchising women, NWP members, led by Alice Paul, began picketing the White House. Their purple, white, and gold banners asked President Woodrow Wilson, "Mr. President what will you do for woman suffrage?" and "Mr. President how long must women wait for liberty?" Tolerated at first, the "silent sentinels" were increasingly seen as an embarrassment to the administration. As the United States entered the First World War, the NWP pickets' banners often pointed out the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy and freedom in Europe while denying it to women at home. In June 1917, the D.C. police began arresting picketers for obstructing sidewalk traffic. 90 women were sentenced to terms ranging from 60 days to six months in the Occoquan Workhouse. When their demands to be treated as political prisoners were ignored, they went on hunger strikes and were forcibly fed. The publicity surrounding their ordeal generated public sympathy for the suffragists and their cause.
Holiday or Christmas ornament, in the shape of a bird's nest and bird. Molded glass ornament, cauldron-shaped, frosted white glass, wrapped in and framed with crinkle wire and topped with three eggs, one pink, one yellow, one red. Eggs are possibly felted or cotton. Separate piece of crinkle wire has two additional eggs, one pink and one red, attached, with small white and pink bird attached as well. Perhaps originally the bird and eggs were on the ornament with the other eggs. No mark.
Hanging holiday or Christmas ornament. Brass-wire coil "icicle" in loose cone shape. One of six: 1993.0157.26, 1993.0157.27, 1993.0157.28, 1993.0157.29, 1993.0157.30. No mark.
The Healthy Harvest Society is a clearinghouse for information about organizations, groups, and individuals in the fields of sustainable agriculture and horticulture. It publishes a yearly directory and a geographical index of resources. The Society produced this button for the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, held in 1990.
Molded celluloid balance toy, in the shape of a kangaroo. Cream-colored body with brown head, back, and tail, pointed ears. Black nose, white and black eyes. Feet are shaped into a small hook, which would enable the toy to balance on the side of a bowl or glass, front paws are also shaped like hooks. Possibly used for a christmas ornament as well. See similar ornaments: 1993.0157.20, 1993.0157.19, 1993.0157.18, 1993.0157.16, 1993.0157.15.
Small, circular, black tray realistically painted with a cluster of three stemmed strawberries and two leaves across well; gilt scalloped border on rim. Stamped as a single piece with wire-rolled rim, tapered sides and flat bottom. Partially legible painted signature at lower right "EBK(?)".