The voting process in every democratic nation helps its citizens to choose their preferred leaders in a free and fair manner. It acts as a part of their Bill of Rights and helps them shape how they want their country, state, or society to grow. The voting process helps a nation to grow as one through exercising fairness and legibility in all its interactions. Americans enjoy the freedom of voting as long they are citizens of America and have an identity card. However, it was not a similar case in the early 19th century as the constitution, at the time, sidelined some of its citizens. The research paper looks into the inclusion of women in the voting process by discussing the film, Iron Jawed Angels, and provides insight into why it is good for one to vote.
The film by Katja von Garnier tells a tale of young women with the passion for changing the lives of other women. Its leaders, Lucy Burns and Alice Paul, entangle themselves in the movement to make sure women have a right to vote in America (Garnier 00:05:00-00:06:00). They began a suffragist movement to push for equal rights in America through other members and the older generation of suffragists. Their aim was to change history and allow women to participate in the issues affecting the society and nation (Customer's File 2). Just like in any historical achievement, there were hurdles and issues, which hindered their progress. One of the major issues facing the group was the President Woodrow Wilson, who was popular at the time. Another issue was the participation of America in the World War I as it overshadowed any other minor case.
These issues do not hinder Paul and Burns to make alliances with Anna Howard Shaw and Carrie Chapman Catt, who were members of National American Woman Suffrage Association. However, the two teams were in conflict on how to approach the matter (Garnier 00:11:00-00:13:00). Paul and Burns wanted a constitutional amendment while Shaw and Catt wanted a state-by-state amendment. They agree to follow Burn’s strategy, but there was a catch; they had to raise funds for the movement. Burn held her first event, which was a parade with a team of volunteers to promote women’s suffrage. While seeking funds in an art gallery, Paul meets Inez Mulholland, a labor and convinces her to be their parade’s figurehead. She meets Ben Weismann, a political cartoonist for a Washington newspaper.
A few weeks after organizing the parade, President Woodrow Wilson returns to Washington and finds himself ignored. Moreover, the town has become a battleground for hecklers, who distort the parades (Garnier 00:25:00-00:34:00). However, the situation affects the suffragists in a positive way as they receive support through stories published in the papers. President Wilson creates time for the women and promises them that he will look into the issue. However, he does not keep his word, prompting the women to call for a boycott of Wilson’s next election. As they are about to begin the boycott, World War I begins, and President Wilson uses it to his advantage in the forthcoming re-election. Challenges ensue the group, but their leaders see through their amendment through they settled for a state-by-state approach.
The film demonstrates the power in voting, whereby an individual has the will and right to make changes towards what he or she feels is correct or wrong. Moreover, it acts as a voice of an individual, which enables one to grow. Women suffer a lot from wrong judgments and overviews demonstrated by people in power at the time. However, they stick to their cause and emerge as winners in the end. Such acts make one to understand and appreciate their vote and what it can do for others.
Works Cited
Customer's File. "Legal Aspects of Title IX Declaration of Sentiments Assignment." n.d.
Iron Jawed Angels. Dir. Katja von Garnier. Perf. Hilary Swank, Margo Martindale, and Anjelica Huston. 2014. DVD.
