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The Woman's Liberty Bell and Suffrage Pamphlet
   

The Liberty Bell had long been used as a symbol of freedom for anti-slavery and abolitionist groups throughout the 19th century. The Liberty Bell symbol was used similarly for the Women's Suffrage Movement in the early 1900's. In 1915, Katherine Ruschenberger commissioned a bell founder to create a replica of the Liberty Bell to further the cause of the Suffrage Amendment. This bell came to be known as the "Woman's Liberty Bell" or the "Justice Bell."

During the summer of 1915, the replica bell was displayed in every county in Pennsylvania. Women suffragettes accompanying the bell would encourage the men to vote for suffrage in the November election. The bell's clapper was chained so that the bell could not be rung and would be unchained only when women received the right to vote.

Womans Liberty Bell
The Woman's Liberty Bell on tour in 1915
   
Suffrage pamphlet

The pamphlet to the left was passed out to visitors of the replica bell to educate the public and encourage men to vote for suffrage. 

Mrs. Ruschenberger is quoted, "The original Liberty Bell announced the creation of democracy; the Woman's Liberty Bell will announce the completion of democracy." 

The bottom of the pamphlet reads "Help break the chains that hold the bronze clapper silent. Vote 'Yes' on the Suffrage Amendment on Election Day."

The Woman's Liberty Bell, also known as the Justice Bell, now resides in the Tower Room of the Washington Memorial National Bell Tower at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

(Source:  Paige, John C., "The Liberty Bell of Independence National Historical Park:  A Special History Study," National Park Service, p. 130-131.)

   

 

 

 

 

   
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