Suffrage Hikes facts for kids

Elisabeth Freeman in 1913, a key hiker for women's rights

Suffrage hikers marching in Newark, New Jersey, in 1913

The Margaret Brent Pilgrimage in Baltimore, in 1915, also supporting women's suffrage

The Suffrage Hikes were special long walks that happened between 1912 and 1914. These hikes helped bring a lot of attention to the idea of women's suffrage. Women's suffrage means the right for women to vote in elections. The very first hike was organized by Florence Gertrude de Fonblanque in Scotland, going from Edinburgh to London. Just a few months later, Rosalie Gardiner Jones started the first American hike. It began in The Bronx and ended in Albany, New York. Another important hike went from New York City all the way to Washington, D.C.. This journey covered 230 miles and took 17 days to complete.

Who Walked for Women's Votes?

Many brave women took part in these long walks. Some of the main people who walked the entire distance were:

• Emma Bugbee, a reporter who wrote about the events.
• Ida Craft, who was known by the nickname "The Colonel."
• Elisabeth Freeman, another important leader in the movement.
• Rosalie Gardiner Jones, who was often called "The General" because she organized the hikes.

These women were determined to show how important it was for women to have the right to vote.

The First American Hike to Albany (1912)

The first American Suffrage Hike started on a Monday morning, December 16, 1912. About 500 women gathered at a subway station in The Bronx. Around 200 of them, including reporters, began the long walk north. The march lasted for thirteen days, through sun, rain, and even snow. They covered about 170 miles, which included extra walking for speeches along the way. The first five hikers finally arrived in Albany on December 28, 1912.

The Big Walk to Washington (1913)

Another major hike began on February 12, 1913. This one started at Hudson Terminal in New York City. The hikers aimed to reach Washington, D.C., the nation's capital.

Journey Details

The hikers stopped in many towns and cities along their route:

• They left New York City on February 12, 1913.
• They passed through Newark, New Jersey and Elizabeth, New Jersey.
• They also walked through Rahway, New Jersey.
• On the night of February 12, they reached Metuchen, New Jersey, after walking about 28 miles.
• They continued to New Brunswick and Princeton.
• Next, they arrived in Trenton and then Philadelphia.
• By February 18, they reached Wilmington, Delaware. The mayor greeted them, and they even got a kitten as a mascot!
• They continued through Overlea, Maryland and Baltimore.
• On February 26, they arrived in Laurel, Maryland. From there, they sent a special flag and message to the President-elect, Woodrow Wilson.
• Finally, they arrived in Washington, D.C., completing a journey of about 225 miles.

Images for kids

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  Rosalie Gardiner Jones (left) and Ida Craft (right), two leaders of the suffrage hikes.

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  Suffrage hikers marching through Newark, New Jersey, in 1913.