On March 3, 1913, a group of women in the United States paraded through Washington, D.C. to campaign for women’s suffrage. Armed with 8,000 marchers and 20 floats, women began the long journey to receive the right to vote. One of the most influential women apart of the Suffrage Movement was school teacher, Carrie Chapman Catt.
As a feminist and proud member of the Illinois Zeta Chapter of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, learning of alumni Carrie Chapman Catt’s involvement in the suffrage movement sparked my interest and encouraged me to delve into the world of Carrie Chapman Catt. Catt attended Iowa State University as a member of the Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. While there were other women who attended college with Catt, she was the only woman in her 1880 graduating class. Much like college students today, Catt had to find a way to pay for her college, she began school teaching in order to receive her education.
After her graduation, Catt quickly became the first woman in the country named Superintendent of Schools. However; Catt found a different calling in 1887 when she joined the suffrage movement, serving as a writer, lecturer and secretary for the Iowa Woman Suffrage Association. Soon after, Catt joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association. During her time in the NAWSA, Carrie Chapman Catt spoke at the 1890 convention in Washington, D.C. and gained the support of President Woodrow Wilson because of her tenacity.
Catt worked under Susan B. Anthony, President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and co-organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, and took over her position as President of the NAWSA when Anthony resigned. During her first term as president, she increased participation in the NAWSA, acquired ample funds for the organization and established the International Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1902. Returning to her position as president in 1915 after her husband’s death, Catt created “The Winning Plan”. Her winning plan was extremely successful, leading to the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920.
So, why is Carrie Chapman Catt important? Catt solidified a woman’s right to vote, an action that puts power into our hands. I am extremely proud to be in the same sorority as such an empowering woman, and her efforts inspire me and hopefully, other Pi Phi’s and even non members to stand up for what they believe in and fight for it. Due to Catt’s contributions, women have been able to vote for almost 100 years. We just passed the anniversary of the woman suffrage parade through D.C. and while we are currently in one of the biggest election years in history, we are able to fulfill our civic duty and make our voice heard.
Thank you, Carrie Chapman Catt. May you continue to inspire women everyday to be the best version of themselves and continue the legacy of strong, independent and passionate Pi Beta Phi women.
