Representation Within the Movement
Looking at several of these images from the Woman Suffrage Pageant in DC, it is clear the demographic and audience that made up the majority of the participants. The majority of which were of white, upper class status (Wright). In this way, the needs that were being advocated for were predominantly coming from these voices and perspectives, which neglected the specific needs of women of color in the US and did not allow for proper representation of their voices (Stevenson).
The space for women in the socio-political sphere, already limited because of the way in which men had historically dominated those spheres, were even further limited for women of color because it was a majority white women who had the resources to be able to assert themselves and take charge in that way of a widespread movement (Free; Hewitt).
Thinking about class and wealth, one of the ways in which the social and financial status of the women in the images is clear is by looking at the objects in the image as well as the clothing of the women. Looking at figure 1, something of note is the car that is being driven. This demonstrates the high status that these women had simply for having the means with which to own a car at the time of the movement, which was quite expensive. In addition, it is essential to note those included in the photograph which are all white women dressed in fine clothes.
Further, looking at figure 2, again, there is the same pattern of the audience and those participating in the parade itself all being white women. This demonstrates the ways in which women of color were not actively included in the key events that marked the movement and the way in which their voices were sidelined in comparison to the plight of white women at the time.
This is further demonstrated in figure 3 when looking at the group portrait of the women leading the New York Woman Suffrage Association, attending the annual conventions. In this image, one can note that, once again, the only women present are white women and all of relatively high social status based on the clothing worn by them and the accessories and items worn by them, including their hats, purses, brooches, etc.