Few individuals have had as much impact on American history as has Alice Paul. Her life symbolizes the long struggle for justice in the United States and around the world. Her vision was the ordinary notion that women and men should be equal partners in society.
Eduction
* B.A. in Biology from Swarthmore, 1905
* M.A. in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, 1907
* Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, 1912
* LL.B. from Washington College of Law, 1922
* LL.M. from American University, 1927
* D.C.L. from American University, 1928
Growing up at Paulsdale
William and Tacie Paul married in 1881 and moved into Paulsdale in 1883. Two years later, their first daughter Alice was born on January 11, 1885. Alice's life on the "home farm" (as she refered to her home) marked her early childhood and is reflected in her work as an adult.
A Hixsite Quaker, Alice was raised with a belief in gender equality, and working for the betterment of society. Alice's suffrage ideas were planted early as Tacie brought Alice with her to women suffrage meetings. Alice attended the Friends School on Main Street in Moorestown, New Jersey where she was the top student in her class.
College
She graduated first in her class and went on to Swarthmore, a Quaker college her grandfather helped to found, in 1901. Alice did not go to college with woman suffrage in mind, rather, she studied Biology simply because she did not know much about it and thought it would be interesting to learn.
Alice Paul courageously led the final campaign for women's right to vote. She stood up to Congress and the President of the United States, inspiring thousands to join the struggle. As a brilliant political strategist, Alice understood that securing the right to vote was only the first step. After the 1920 victory, she authored the Equal Rights Amendment and initiated gender equality in both the United Nations Charter and in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Alice Paul died on July 9, 1977 in Moorestown, New Jersey, just a few miles away from her birthplace and family home of Paulsdale.
Alice Paul's life proves that one person can truly make a difference. Her legacy lives on to bear witness to the significance of her life and to inspire others who struggle for social justice.
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