Empowered Suffragettes Rally at Grants Tomb, 1914

This photograph, captured by the Bain News Service on May 2, 1914, immortalizes a group of suffragettes gathered near Grants Tomb in New York City. This was a pivotal time in American history, as women were vigorously fighting for their right to vote, which would finally be granted with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The suffragette movement was marked by organized demonstrations, parades, and advocacy that aimed to raise awareness and garner support for womens voting rights.

The setting of Grants Tomb, the final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, reflects the significant connection between the fight for democracy and the suffrage movement. This location, along with the attire and expressions of the women in the photograph, captures the spirit of activism that characterized the early 20th century. These women were not just participants in a movement; they were demanding their rightful place in the democratic process, paving the way for future generations.