When the #1913 Washington D.C. #SuffrageParade was being planned, #NellieQuander, as President of the sorority, wrote #AlicePaul that “there were a number of college women of #HowardUniversity who would like to participate in the women suffrage procession,” but “do not wish to enter if we must meet with discrimination on account of race affiliation.” Two days later, Nellie Quander wrote Paul a second letter, reiterating the desire to participate and requesting to be assigned in a “desirable place in the college women’s section.” On March 3, 1913, almost 50 African American women participated in the 1913 #WomensSuffrageParade, including women from Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, and New York, and Washington D.C., including young women from #Howard. The challenge of whether or not to encourage African American women to participate in the parade presented a conundrum to parade organizers and members of #NAWSA. Alice Stone Blackwell (1857-1950), editor of the Women’s Journal, wrote Alice Paul on January 23, “ I am glad that colored women are allowed to register for the procession—it would be a shame if they were not—but I agree with you in hoping that not many will do so in view of the wicked and irrational color prejudice so prevalent in Washington, and I certainly do not see that the procession committee is under any obligation to try to get out a large number of colored women…” Conversely, a member of NAWSA telegraphed Paul on February 28, “Am informed that parade committee has so strongly urged colored women not to march that it amounts to official discrimination from National Headquarters. Please instruct all marshals to see that all colored women who wish to march shall be accorded every service given to all marchers.” #AKA1908 #AlphaKappaAlpha #EthelMadeUsNellieSavedUs #EthelMadeUs #NellieSavedUs https://www.instagram.com/p/CoA-qzULG3e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
