August 15 • 2019 33
jn

benefiting Orchards Children’
s 
Services. 
In the book, supplemented with 
pictures of the times, the main lead-
ers include Carrie Chapman Catt, 
a leader of the National American 
Woman Suffrage Association; 
Alice Paul, a leader of the National 
Woman’
s Party; and Sue Shelton 
White, a lieutenant of Alice Paul. 

ANTI-SUFFRAGE LEADERS
Weiss explains why some women, 
including Josephine Pearson of 
Tennessee, were working against 
the suffrage movement. One issue 
had to do with race and the status 
of black women given the right to 
vote.
“This fight was not simple or 
clear-cut,” explains Weiss, who 
points out the suffrage movement 
began at a time when women 
were working toward the 16th 
Amendment, which would establish 
an income tax. “There were com-
promises and betrayals over three 
generations of activists. The women 
who began it were dead when the 
amendment was passed. Women 
who put it over the finish line 
weren’
t born when the movement 
began. 
“It took enormous vision, politi-
cal strategy, vigilance and courage 
as some were imprisoned, tortured 
and vilified. It was not socially 
acceptable to do it, and yet they 
persisted. They kept going after 
defeat, after defeat, after defeat.
“After ratification, the anti-suf-
fragists didn’
t give up. Their lawyer 
said the 19th Amendment was 
unconstitutional, but Justice Louis 

Brandeis, in 1922, wrote the deci-
sion that brought opposition to an 
end at a time when women already 
had been voting.”

ENCOURAGING THE VOTE
Weiss, who has written for major 
magazines, had an earlier book 
about women: Fruits of Victory: The 
Woman’
s Land Army of America in 
the Great War.
“I was writing about women 
activists of World War I,” she 
explains. “Many of these were 
suffragists so there’
s a continuing 
thread.”
The Nashville Public Library is 
highlighting her book for its sum-
mer reading program, which will 
culminate with her as speaker and 
have associated activities. On the 
online signup, there’
s a button to 
click to register to vote. 
“The idea that my book is being 
used to encourage voting is very 
important,” Weiss says. “I want to 
put it to work in the present tense 
so that it’
s not just a good read but 
working in the world today when 
voting rights are under attack again, 
and we need better and more wide-
spread participation in our elec-
tions.”
The next large Michigan event 
to commemorate the passage of 
the 19th Amendment is scheduled 
for Aug. 31 in Genesee County. 
The Suffrage March at Crossroads 
Village will recall suffrage parades 
with women wearing white dresses 
and purple sashes. ■ 

To find out about getting involved in commem-
orative events, go to womensvote100.org.

“Th
 e idea that my book is being used 
to encourage voting is very important. 
I want to put it to work in the present tense 
so it’
s not just a good read but working 
in the world today when voting rights 
are under attack again, and we need 
better and more widespread participation 
in our elections.”

— ELAINE WEISS

Let
 
our
 
exper
i
enc
ed 
t
eam 
handl
e 
al
l
 
of
 
your
 
es
t
at
e 
needs
:
Hands
 
f
r
ee-
has
s
l
e 
f
r
ee 
es
t
at
e 
s
al
es

 
 
 
 
 
Cal
l
 
Les
l
i
e 
Wei
s
ber
g 
t
oday 
f
or
 
a 
f
r
ee 
c
ons
ul
t
at
i
on 
248-
709-
9648

CHANGING HANDS ESTATE SALES

We 
s
pec
i
al
i
z
e 
i
n 
mi
d-c
ent
ur
y 
moder
n 
es
t
at
e 
s
al
es

changinghandsestates.com

Upscale Consignment & Auction House

too

DFAA: 248-672-3207 DetroitFAA.com
DetroitFineArtAppraisals@gmail.com

NOW ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS FOR RETAIL SALE, 
AND OUR UPCOMING AUCTION ON NOV. 3RD. 

Tues-Sat 12-6, Sun 12-4
3325 Orchard Lake Rd, Keego Harbor, MI
248-481-8884
WWW.LESHOPPETOO.COM

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, FINE-ART, 
HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

Scan here 
with your 
phone to view 
our website:
FREE
Preliminary
Art Appraisals

Accepted by Appointment
Tuesdays or Wednesdays
NOON-4PM

