The Story of the Woman's PartyGillmore, Inez Haynes
History
The Story of the Woman's Party
Gillmore, Inez Haynes
National Woman's Party; Paul, Alice, 1885-1977; Women -- Suffrage -- United States
Alice Paul began work at once. Nina Allender says that one Sunday a
stranger called. She was wearing “a slim dress and a little purple hat
and she was no bigger,” Mrs. Allender held up her forefinger, “than
_that_.” The call was brief and it was unaccompanied by any of the small
talk or the persiflage which distinguishes most social occasions. But
when the door closed, a few moments later, mother and daughter looked at
each other in amazement. Mrs. Evans had promised to contribute to
Suffrage a sum of money monthly. Mrs. Allender had promised to
contribute to Suffrage a sum of money monthly. Mrs. Evans had agreed to
do a certain amount of work monthly. Mrs. Allender had agreed to do a
certain amount of work monthly. Their amazement arose partly from the
fact that they had not been begged, urged, or argued with—they had
simply been asked; and partly from the fact that, before the arrival of
this slim little stranger, they had no more idea of contributing so much
money or work than of flying. But they agreed to it the instant she
requested it of them.
This is a perfect example of the way Alice Paul works. There may be
times when she urges, even begs; but they appear to be rare. She often
forgets to thank you when you say yes; for she has apparently assumed
that you will say yes. She does not argue with you when you say no—but
you rarely say no. She has only to ask apparently. Perhaps it is part
the terseness with which she puts her request. Perhaps it is part her
simple acceptance of the fact that you are not going to refuse. Perhaps
it is her expectation that you will understand that she is not asking
for herself but for Suffrage. Perhaps it is the Quaker integrity which
shines through every statement. Perhaps it is the intensity of devotion
which blazes back of the gentleness of her personality and the
inflexibility of purpose which gives that gentleness power. At any rate,
it is very difficult to refuse Alice Paul.
A member of the Woman’s Party, meeting her for the first time in New
York and riding for a short distance in a taxicab with her, says that
Alice Paul turned to her as soon as they were alone:
“Will you give a thousand dollars to the Woman’s Party?”
“No, I haven’t that amount to give.”
“Will you give one hundred dollars?”
“No.”
“Will you give twenty-five dollars?”
“No.”
“Will you——”
“I’ll give five dollars.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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