Teaching Suffrage: Forward Into Light

Forward Into Light banner on display in the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument museum

Photo by thisfeministrox (CC-BY-NC). https://www.flickr.com/photos/jcardinal18/2952006665

Created in collaboration with the Hard History Project

Grade Level

This activity was designed for fifth grade students (ages 10-11)

Objectives

Students will develop positive social identities based on their membership in multiple groups in society.

Students will respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and will exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way.

Students will identify figures, groups, events, and philosophies around the world.

Students will make principled decisions about when and how to take a stand in their everyday lives and will do so despite negative peer or group pressure.

Guiding Question

How do people use words and slogans to communicate?

“Forward into Light” was a popular rallying cry for the women’s suffrage movement. Suffragists carried banners at marches and demonstrations emblazoned with a compelling verse: “Forward out of darkness / Leave behind the night. / Forward out of error / Forward into light!” The words expressed the movement’s goal of a brighter future through women’s votes, and the hope of leaving behind the “error” and “darkness” of oppression.

“Forward into Light” is most associated with suffragist Inez Milholland, who carried it on a banner while leading the 1911 New York City suffrage parade. After Milholland’s premature death in 1916 at the age of 30, the movement circulated memorial posters with an image of her and the slogan. The National Woman’s Party also adopted it as a motto.

In many movements for change, people have used signs, banners, and clothing like hats and t-shirts to clearly state the change they seek. Sometimes activists use memorable phrases and special colors to get people's attention. The slogan "Forward Into Light!" came from a popular religious song called "Forward Be Our Watchword." The suffragists also used bright colors like purple and gold to bring attention to their message.

Vocabulary

motto: a short expression summarizing an idea or principle
slogan: a brief attention-getting phrase
suffrage: the right to vote
suffragist: a person who works for the right to vote, especially for women

Jessie Hardy MacKaye with banner in front of building. Banner reads: Forward Out of Error Leave Behind the Night Forward through the Darkness Forward Into Light."

National Woman's Party collection, the Library of Congress

A crowd at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. Many marchers carry signs detailing their demands for issues like voting rights.

Marion S. Trikosko, photographer. Library of Congress

Demonstrators opposed to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in front of the White House in 1977

Warren K. Leffler, photographer. Library of Congress

Think About It

Examine the three photos of activists holding signs.

1. What differences do you see between the signs used by the suffragists in 1917, the protesters at the March on Washington in 1963, and the women at a Stop ERA protest in 1977?

2. Now take another look at the pictures. Can you find things that are the same about the signs?

3. Can you find any other ways that the protesters in the pictures are communicating messages?

4. In your opinion, which sign is most effective? Why did you choose it?

5. What are some other ways that signs are used to communicate messages?

Other Resources

NPS Links
Inez Milholand People page
Suffrage in 60 Seconds: Forward Into Light
Symbols of the Women's Suffrage Movement

Books and Videos
Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles by Mara Rockliff. Illustrated by Hadley Hooper
If You're Going to a March by Martha Freeman. Illustrated by Violet Kim
Speak Up by Miranda Paul. Illustrated by Ebony Glenn (for younger readers)
PBS Newshour: "Children who marched for equal rights inspire a new generation"