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The History List

"Jailed For Freedom" Pin

Regular price $ 22.95
Regular price Sale price $ 22.95
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 The "Jailed for Freedom" pin depicts a jail door, with a heart-shaped lock and chain attached. Made of pewter.  

Size: 1.25 x 0.75"

When the pins were first awarded here in the United States to suffragettes who had been jailed, the presenter remarked, "In honoring these women, who were willing to go to jail for liberty, we are showing our love of country and devotion to democracy.” 

More information on the historic background and the event at which the award was made is below.

Also available, the "Jailed for Freedom" Pendant with chain, which is pictured here with the pin. As well as a "Jailed for Freedom" Lapel pin.

See more of our Suffrage-era collection, including "Votes for Women" pennant pinssticker, and magnet, as well as the "Jailed for Freedom" pendant.


Historical Background: The pickets that led to jailing

"In January 1917, discouraged by President Wilson’s continued opposition to the suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, the leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) posted pickets at the White House gates—the first people to ever picket the White House. These 'silent sentinels' stayed on duty in all weather and in the face of threats, taunts, and physical violence. Using their banners and their quiet courage they asked, 'Mr. President How Long Must Women Wait for their Liberty?' and "'Mr. President What Will you do for Woman Suffrage?' Hoping to provoke a response, the language on the banners became more inflammatory.

"They used the president’s own words against him and pointed out the hypocrisy of his leading the country into the First World War to defend freedom while denying it to the women of his own country. Crowds who believed the pickets’ activities were disloyal in a time of war attacked the suffragists and destroyed their banners.

"In July the police began arresting the pickets for 'obstruction of traffic.' When they refused to pay fines they were imprisoned. When they went on hunger strikes to demand the rights of political prisoners they were forcibly fed—a painful and invasive procedure. The pickets continued despite the risk. Paul had endured such treatment while she was in England. Although she knew what lay ahead and that she, as the organizer of the picketing, would receive a harsher sentence, she insisted on taking her place on the picket line. She was arrested in October. While in jail she was forcibly fed and threatened with commitment to an insane asylum. Reports of the long sentences, abuse, and the courage of the suffragists became public and all prisoners were released in November.

"In a December ceremony the imprisoned suffragists were awarded with small silver pins in the shape of prison doors with heart-shaped locks. The 'Jailed for Freedom' pins were designed by Nina Allender. 

The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution enfranchising women was ratified in August 1920."

Source: The National Museum of American History

The ceremony where the pins were awarded

"The Woman’s Party conference came to a dramatic close during that first week in December [1917], with an enormous mass meeting in the Belasco Theatre in Washington. On that quiet Sunday afternoon, as the President came through his gates for his afternoon drive, a passageway had to be opened for his motor car through the crowd of four thousand people who were blocking Madison Place in an effort to get inside the Belasco Theatre.

'Inside the building was packed to the rafters. The President saw squads of police reserves, who had been for the past six months arresting pickets for him, battling with a crowd that was literally storming the theatre in their eagerness to do honor to those who had been arrested. Inside there was a fever heat of enthusiasm, bursting cheers, and thundering applause which shook the building. America has never before nor since seen such a suffrage meeting.

'Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont, chairman, opened the meeting by saying: 'We are here this afternoon to do honor to a hundred gallant women, who have endured the hardship and humiliation of imprisonment because they love liberty.

'The suffrage pickets stood at the White House gates for ten months and dramatized the women’s agitation for political liberty. Self-respecting and patriotic American women will no longer tolerate a government which denies women the right to govern themselves. A flame of rebellion is abroad among women, and the stupidity and brutality of the government in this revolt have only served to increase its heat.

'As President Wilson wrote, "Governments have been very successful in parrying agitation, diverting it, in seeming to yield to it and then cheating it, tiring it out or evading it. But the end, whether it comes soon or late, is quite certain to be the same." While the government has endeavored to parry, tire, divert, and cheat us of our goal, the country has risen in protest against this evasive policy of suppression until to-day the indomitable pickets with their historic legends stand triumphant before the nation.' Mrs. William Kent, who had led the last picket line of forty-one women, was chosen to decorate the prisoners.

'In honoring these women, who were willing to go to jail for liberty,' said Mrs. Kent, 'we are showing our love of country and devotion to democracy.' The long line of prisoners filed past her and amidst constant cheers and applause, received a tiny silver replica of a cell door . . . .

"The amendment passed the House January 10, 1918, by a vote of 274 to 136—a two-thirds majority with one vote to spare-exactly forty years to a day from the time the suffrage amendment was first introduced into Congress, and exactly one year to a day from the time the first picket banner appeared at the gates of the White House."

From: Jailed for Freedom, Doris Stevens (1920)
 

Shipping

For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping) 

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

 

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

  • When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
  • If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
  • If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

    Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

    • Free shipping
      • On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

    • US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 

      • $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

        Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

      • $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

    We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

      UPS 3 Business Day Select 

      Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

      Cut off time: Orders received by 3 pm Eastern will ship the same business day.  Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing.
        UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday.  This applies to the 48 contiguous states. 
          • $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

          • $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

          • If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

        • UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
        Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

        For shipments to addresses outside the United States

        Destinations

        We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

        Charges

        • Canada and Mexico

          • $18.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
          • $24.00 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

        • Rest of the World

          • Rates starts at $65.00.

        Additional charges for all destinations

        Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

        If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

          All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

          All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

          Mission

          Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

            ["19th amendment","Alice Paul","History buff","History student","Made in the USA","NBIS","Pin","Suffrage","Suffrage buttons","suffragette","suffragettes","USA made","Vote for women"]
          

          Customer Reviews

          Based on 8 reviews
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          J
          Jeff V.

          "Jailed For Freedom" Pin

          L
          Larry B.
          Highly regarded

          I gave five of these as gifts this season, and they were the most admired of all.
          It also was very timely bringing to the forefront the sacrifice of two generations ago for the right to equality with the vote (my grandmother was a suffragette) but very current since it resonated as the rebuttal to “Lock her up” chants. The irony as though 100 years didn’t separate the events. None of my friends had seen this pin or knew it’s history and all wanted to know how to find them so they could play it forward.

          W
          William B.
          Suffragette Pin

          I really nice and historically correct remembrance to the women (and men) who saw this event through to its rightful conclusion.

          E
          Elaine C.

          Perfect for feminists

          M
          Melinda
          Love it!

          The quality is perfect, I'm really happy with this pin! The chain hanging on the door even moves!

          S
          Susan M.
          Jail door Suffragette pin

          Fabulous piece of historic jewelry. Exceeded my expectations. Absolutely perfect.

          J
          Joan T.
          I love my pin

          I bought myself this pin after I was arrested in Washington DC for protesting the separation of families. I was proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone and I wanted to commemorate it by remembering the women who came before me. This pin was perfect! It's a replica of the pin that was given to the suffragettes who were arrested and jailed. I love the pin and I love the history behind it.

          L
          Lauren W.
          Love my pin!

          Received as a gift after a friend saw former Mass attorney general Martha Coakley wearing it on Greater Boston. I liked it so much I purchased it as a gift.