Date of Award
Spring 5-12-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Kristen Lawson
Second Advisor
Don Judd
Third Advisor
John Daley
Keywords
Suffrage, Women, African American, Tennessee, Women's Clubs, Activism, Progressivism
Abstract
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and despite the fact that white women often discriminated against them, African American women across the United States worked to obtain voting rights for all women. Nationally, black women used the African American club movement and their experiences in church benevolent societies to advocate for women’s suffrage. In some cases, however, a widespread and thriving club movement did not lead to suffrage activities. In Knoxville, Tennessee, there is no evidence that the clubwomen participated in the suffrage movement. This thesis outlines the specific social conditions that caused to black clubwomen’s lack of suffrage work. I argue that, because of the delicate balance of race relations in Knoxville, African American women did not want to mar their reputations or stir up controversy that would harm African Americans’ progress in Knoxville by openly associating themselves with the women’s suffrage movement.
Recommended Citation
Farrington, Ashley B., "African American Women and the Women's Suffrage Movement in Knoxville, TN" (2018). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 246.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/246
