Media's View On Women's Suffrage

During the early 1900s Women’s Suffrage movement women struggle for the right to vote throughout the United States. They could not go a day without seeing it on the news or on the streets. Media throughout many years has demonstrated this historical event. Disney’s “Mary Poppins” and “Iron Jawed Angels” are two known movies that have displayed Women’s Suffrage in similar and different manners.

“Mary Poppins” and “Iron Jawed Angels” both clearly define the basics of the Women’s Suffrage movement. The two movies do a rather well job, either through singing or talking, about what women want. The two suffragettes are concerned for their gender and fight for equal rights among women. Mrs. Banks is similar to Emily, the senator’s wife in “Iron Jawed Angels,” because they both disguise their involvement in women’s rights to prevent embarrassment among their husbands.

Though these two movies bring the attention of Women’s Suffrage to the viewers, they are not represented the same way. For instance, there is a strong difference between the two main feminists, Mrs. Banks and Alice Paul. In “Mary Poppins”, Women’s Suffrage is more Social Women’s Club than an actual activism. Mrs. Banks represents a passive feminist because she actually plays the role of a housewife over voicing her opinion. Once Mr. Banks is home, she hides any evidence that might reveal her being a suffragette. Then there is Alice Paul who is definitely the opposite. She is very aggressive with the matter and will stop at absolutely nothing until accomplished. She is extremely independent. Being a Disney film, Mrs. Banks approach about Women’s Suffrage comes off more humorous than serious by running around the home with the housemaids singing “Sister Suffragette.” On the other hand, “Iron Jawed Angels” demonstrates the seriousness of the harm, torture, and treatment the women got for standing up for their beliefs. By the end of “Mary Poppins,” Mrs. Banks has let go of being a suffragette but on the other hand, Alice Paul still stands strong and stays proud of being a suffragette.

These two suffragettes, Mrs. Banks and Alice Paul, demonstrate readings from the class textbooks. The reading assignment, from Fight Like a Girl’s article “Fight Like a Girl”, educates the reader about how to become an active activist. The material defines activism as “the practice of vigorous action or involvement as a means of achieving political or other goals, by protest” (Seely, Megan). This definition clearly defines Mrs. Banks and Alice Paul. Mrs. Banks’ activism touched her housemaids, whereas Alice Paul’s activism touched the hearts of many women all over the country. The reading goes into detail about examples of activism, which were represented in both of the movies. Their activisms involved communicating with others and gathering information, making a stand or public set up, organizing “human billboards”, speak outs, and, in “Iron Jawed Angels”, a march. Women’s Suffrage was a crucial event in the countries history and even though many believe it was resolved, equality is still an issue in today’s society.

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: Fight Like a Girl. New York: New York, 2007. Print.