[Location: March 3, 1913, Washington D.C., Woman Suffrage Procession]
LOTTY: Isaiah! Look out for the float!
Lotty/Isaiah: Ahhhhhhh!
[We hear them narrowly skirt a parade float.]
ISAIAH: You saved me!
L: And don’t you forget it!
[They’re interrupted by the sound of women chanting “Votes for Women!”]
I: What is this?! Some sorta old-timey parade?
L: (taking stock of her surroundings) Floats with women chanting, cops on horseback. Look, there’s the White House in the distance. Ummm, yeah. I think this is more than a parade, Isaiah. I think this is the Women’s Suffrage Procession of 1913.
I: 1913...
L: We’re still 7 years away from Florence being able to cast her first vote for president.
I: But where is she?
L: Hey, look! That whole group of women are holding up signs that say “Seneca Falls Suffragists!”
I: Home sweet home, baby! Wouldn’t it be amazing if ...
[Florence, now age 75, walks up.]
FLORENCE: Well, jumping Jehosaphat, if it isn’t the eternal Lotty Whitaker Eldridge and Isaiah Morgan.
L: Granny Flo!
[We hear them hug and kiss.]
PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE CROWD: Smile for the camera, folks!
L: Who? Us?
P: Lemme see those pearly whites! Say “cheese.”
L/F/I: “Cheese.”
[We hear the click of a 1913 camera. A beat and then ...]
F: I thought you two had retired from time-travel? Or have I officially now lost my mind?
L: No, you’re still sharp as a tack. I think I didn’t mend the sash as perfectly as I should have. It seems to be malfunctioning.
I: Look at you, Flo! You’re wearing our sash! Only it looks a lot newer.
F (with a smile): Oh, I suppose I am. They’re all the rage these days, you know. So, what brings you to me now?
L: That’s a good question.
F: I’m afraid President Wilson’s inauguration is to be held tomorrow. And there is still no constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. So, my forever young friends, I still haven’t cast a vote for president.
I: I’m really sorry, Flo.
F: That is why, cane and all, I’m here marching with my compatriots in the hopes that long after I’m gone, women of the future will benefit from my efforts.
L: Don’t talk like that! You’re closer to a vote than you think.
I: Lotty, we can’t...
F: Oh my dear, I’m an old woman now. I’ve long abandoned that pipe dream for myself. Now, I march for you.
[We hear her cough slightly.]
F: Look there - see - there are my friends Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. Those two firecrackers spearheaded this whole event. I’m afraid most of my African American friends are marching in the back. Sadly, even our protests must be segregated. It’s a disgrace if you ask me.
L: (horrified) Isaiah and I aren’t separating!
F: No, of course not, child. You two must stay together. You’re both small, I hardly think folks will pay much attention to the pair of you. Rumor has it as many as 10,000 people have shown up today!
[We hear her COUGH slightly more.]
L: Are you OK?
F (catching her breath): Fine, fine.
I: But, Florence, the president is being inaugurated tomorrow. Why are you protesting today? The vote’s already happened.
F: True, Isaiah. But we march in a spirit of protest against the present political organization of society, from which women are excluded. That is the whole mission of the day!
L: Can we march with you?
F: Why, of course. United we march! Votes for Women!
[Lotty and Isaiah join in the chant.]
L: Votes for Women! Votes for Women!
I: Votes for Women! Votes for Women!
[We hear sounds of 1913 bands playing, children crying, women chanting “votes for women,” etc.]
[Location: Washington D.C., Woman Suffrage Procession – a little later]
[We hear a horse whinny]
L: What’s going on up there?
F: Looks like those men are assailing the marchers!
MEN IN THE CROWD (shouting): Where are your skirts, Ladies? A woman’s place is in her home! Not on the streets like a bunch of barnyard animals! You’re a disgrace to your country!
SUFFRAGIST FROM THE CROWD: Officer, these men are harassing us!
OFFICER: (from his perch atop his horse): And that’s their right. No one asked you to come storm the streets. You belong back in your kitchen!
I: Hey, that’s not right!
[We hear his horse neigh loudly and then trot too fast for a crowded area. We hear women scream!]
L: Isaiah, look out!
F: Jumping Jehosaphat! They’ll trample us.
I: Here! Come this way!
L: Look out!
F: Lotty! Isaiah! Children!
[We hear them RUN off to the side, DODGING the struggling crowd. They CATCH THEIR BREATH.]
L: Oh no. We lost Granny Flo. [shouting] Flo! Florence?! Florence Whitaker, where are you?!
[Off the SOUNDS of them RUNNING THROUGH THE THRONGS ...]
ALY RAISMAN: Hi again, I’m Olympic gymnast and advocate Aly Raisman. Lotty and Isaiah have found themselves in the middle of the Woman's Suffrage Procession on March 3rd, 1913. It was the first suffrage parade ever in Washington, D.C. Thousands of women came together to call for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Once again, though, the marchers were divided along racial lines, and some parade organizers asked African-Americans to march in the back of the procession. However, some black women, like Ida B. Wells, refused to be relegated to the back. Wells took a stand by stepping in line with her fellow Illinois suffragists.
The parade was organized by Alice Paul and the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Lawyer and activist Inez Milholland led the parade while riding on a white horse. She was followed by thousands of suffragists, 20 parade floats, nine bands and four mounted brigades.
The parade took place just one day before the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson. That meant there were many thousands of extra people in town for the inauguration. A lot of those spectators were opposed to the cause of women's suffrage. Some marchers were even attacked while police did little to help. Over 100 women had to be hospitalized for injuries.
But the suffragists marched on, and their bravery inspired many to keep fighting for women's right to vote.
[Location: Washington D.C., Woman Suffrage Procession, a little later]
[We hear women chanting...]
N: Nurses for Women’s Suffrage! Nurses for Women’s Suffrage!
I (out of breath): Okay, I think we’re safe from the mob.
L (out of breath): Thank goodness. I thought it was going to be a full-on riot. Quick, this way ... I saw the Seneca Falls sign up ahead.
[We hear women chanting]
TEACHERS: Teachers for Women’s Suffrage! Teachers for Women’s Suffrage!
I: Lotty! Look! Over there, on the ground! It’s Flo!
[We hear them run. We hear Flo moaning in pain.]
L: Flo! Oh, Granny Flo! Are you OK?!
F: Yes, yes, I’m ok. Don’t make a fuss. (hurting) I twisted my ankle is all. That mob of angry men overtook us and I tumbled.
[She coughs horribly.] L: We’ve got to get you out of here.
F: Look around you, Lotty. Where will you take me? There’s nowhere to go.
I: C’mon, Lotty. Help me get her up.
[We hear them struggle to lift Flo up from the ground. Flo struggles and coughs while the kids grunt with effort.]
L: There! I see an empty patch of grass over there. We can at least get out of these crowds and rest for a moment.
F: Much as I hate to admit it, a rest would be nice.
[We hear them STRUGGLE a bit more as they set her down ...]
L: There. Better?
F: Right as rain. Thank you my friends.
I: Are you really alright, Mrs. Whitaker?
F: Don’t go calling me Mrs. Whitaker now that I’m old. It’s bad enough I’ve got a cane.
I: My bad. Are you alright...Flo?
F: Yes. Tip-top. [then coughing] I’m fine.
I (whispered): She doesn’t seem fine.
L (whispered): No, she doesn’t.
F: You all leave me here; soak up the day, enjoy the parade. I’ll find my way once the crowds have cleared. I don’t suppose it’s in the cards for me to complete the whole route.
L: Are you sure?
F: Truth be told, I don’t know how much of anything is left in the cards for me.
L: Don’t talk like that!
F: Oh, the outrage of youth. It’s alright, Lotty. I’m not afraid. My only regret is that I haven’t lived long enough to make it to the ballot box. But you ... Lotty ... you’ll make it there, won’t you my girl?
L: First of all, stop talking like that! Second of all, of course I make it to the ballot box! I mean, well technically not yet because I’m a child - but I will! I will!
I: Lotty.
L: I don’t care. She deserves to know. Women get the right to vote in the constitution in 1920. It’s just seven years away!
F: Oh, how glorious. The future is coming! Thank you for telling me. I think I’ll choose to believe you.
I (whispering): Pssst. Lotty ...
L (whispering): What?
I (whispering): I have an idea.
L: OK?
I: (whispering): What if ... we take her with us?
L (whispering): What?!
I (whispering): Remember how I ripped your sash and it sent us forward eight years?
L (whispering): Yeah?
I (whispering): So what if I rip it again, but a little less than last time. And if we hold Flo’s hand while we do it ...maybe she’ll come with us?!
L (whispering): Isaiah, you’re brilliant!
I: Well, let’s see if Granny Flo agrees. Florence, we have an idea. How would you feel about skipping the rest of the parade?
F: What are you two up to?
L: Granny Flo, we’re taking you with us.
F: Taking me where?
I: To the voting booth. In 1920.
L: We’re jumping seven years into the future!
F: Well, that does sound like an adventure...How do we do this?
L: You just need to hold my hand.
F: With pleasure, my dear. L: All right, Isaiah. Rip away.
I: One...two...three...
[We hear the SOUND OF A RIP! Then WHIZ - BAM - BOOM - WHOOSH!]
I/L: Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
[ MONTAGE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE AS WE HEAR LOTTY AND ISAIAH SHOUT THROUGH THE TIME TRAVEL SLO-MO WARBLES]
L: Can you tell if we’re moving backward or forward in time?!
I: No idea! We’re floating through again!
[A large crowd chants in protest.]
L: Look down there! All those suffragists picketing outside the White House gates!
[We hear another WOOSH!]
1920 SENATOR: We hereby ratify that the rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
L: The ratification of the 19th amendment!
I: Then we’re headed in the right direction!
[We hear a WHOOSH ...]
L/I: Whoaaaaaaa!
[Location: November 2, 1920 - Rochester, NY - EXT. voting booth]
[We hear PEOPLE CAMPAIGNING ...]
HARDING SUPPORTERS: Warren G. Harding for President!
COX SUPPORTERS: Rochester democrats for James M. Cox!
[We hear a familiar THUD! (“Ow!” “Oooo!” “Granny Flo be careful!”]
VOTING CLERK (calling out): Step right up and cast your vote! Voting booths are open, folks!
I: We’re here. Outside a voting place. We made it.
L: You hear that, Granny Flo? Oh no...
I: Florence?! L: Isaiah! Granny Flo! She’s not here. She didn’t make it through!
Ida B. Wells-Barnett House
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality Monument
Walk in the Footsteps of Suffragists