This book is an in-depth analysis of how the National Woman's Party's militancy evolved during the period of early twentieth century feminism and American suffrage as a response to the intransigence of male-centered government. Working first as aggressive political lobbyists in an era of progressive reform, the militants brought their struggle on into a period of war hysteria in which they developed an effective strategy of nonviolent civil disobedience as anti-government dissenters. Feminist militancy and readiness to resist authorities and break the law for women's rights developed gradually. Women militants, composed of a wide variety of intensely committed women, were not shy about critiquing male oppression and in turn, male authorities responded to the perceived threat of these unnatural 'iron-jawed' females. This study examines the nature of these militants, with biographical sketches, and their evolution from petitions to pickets to prison. Selected by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in the United States as an outstanding book.

"Ford offers a dramatic account of the Woman's Party's fierce determination to exploit the war climate, its shrewd political activism, and its brilliant direction of public opinion through nonviolent direct action. The reader gets a vivid sense of whatthe jailed Woman's Party members endured in their efforts to advance women's political rights...Ford brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the suffrage movement." - Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review

"Linda Ford presents a thoroughgoing analysis of not only the women who led the movement but also the suprisingly diverse membership of the Party whose comradery and persistence were most responsible for its successes." - Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review

"The best part of this book is Ford's vivid portrayal of the NWP's militant activism and the reactions of the public, Police, and government." - Journal of American History

"Ford's book provides knowledgeable readers with illuminating information about the 168 suffrage women who choose jail rather than comply with the law that forbade their disruptive suffrage demonstrations." - CHOICE

"Ford's book provides knowledgeable readers with illuminating information about the 168 suffrage women who choose jail rather than comply with the law that forbade their disruptive suffrage demonstrations." - CHOICE

"Ford offers a dramatic account of the Woman's Party's fierce determination to exploit the war climate, its shrewd political activism, and its brilliant direction of public opinion through nonviolent direct action. The reader gets a vivid sense of what the jailed Woman's Party members endured in their efforts to advance women's political rights...Ford brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the suffrage movement." - Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review

"Linda Ford presents a thoroughgoing analysis of not only the women who led the movement but also the suprisingly diverse membership of the Party whose comradery and persistence were most responsible for its successes." - Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review

"The best part of this book is Ford's vivid portrayal of the NWP's militant activism and the reactions of the public, Police, and government." - Journal of American History