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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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25 results for: Women's Rights

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Image of WONPR pin (Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform), ca. 1930

WONPR pin (Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform), ca. 1930

The Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform was founded in 1929 by New Yorker Pauline Sabin. The movement for alcohol prohibition has been led largely by women, particularly the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. But when the 18th Amendment was enacted, many harms and problems became evident. Sabin started the organization to counteract the narrative that all women supported prohibition and…
ID Number:1955.982.b
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Dr. Helen Carpenter’s box of medicines, ca. 1910s

Dr. Helen Carpenter’s box of medicines, ca. 1910s

Dr. Helen B. Carpenter was one of the first, if not the first, woman doctor who practiced in Seattle from 1917-1922. The box contains hundreds of tiny medicine vials plus a corresponding chart.
ID Number:1959.5664.4
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Racing crew letter patch, from the University of Washington, 1912

Racing crew letter patch, from the University of Washington, 1912

This letter patch for the women's racing crew at the University of Washington features crossed oars behind the number 12. This may be for the Sophomore Class of 1912 who won the 1910 Junior Day form contest. Despite the university cancelling women's rowing in late 1910, these resilient competitors organized their own teams to continue the sport, all in the…
ID Number:1960.1822.5
Date:1912
Image of Gavel presented to the

Gavel presented to the "Seattle Council of Minute Women," 1923

The Washington Woman's Work Committee of the State Council was dubbed the "Minute Women" because "they, like the men of old, were to be ready at a minute's notice to carry messages for the government." This gavel, made from the wood of the oak and elm trees in Belleau Wood, France, and from artillery shells left after the WWI battle…
ID Number:1967.4109.34
Date:1923
Image of Portrait of Dr. Kathryn Harrison at age 85 by Herbert P. Muehlenbeck, ca. 1944

Portrait of Dr. Kathryn Harrison at age 85 by Herbert P. Muehlenbeck, ca. 1944

Dr. Kathryn Harrison was one of the first physicians specializing in obstetrics in Seattle. She was arrested twice in 1912 at the age of 50. The first arrest was for the murder of a young woman from Vancouver, British Columbia, who probably died from complications from an abortion. The second arrest was part of a national sting operation against doctors…
ID Number:1990.25
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Empathy Belly pregnancy simulator, 1985

Empathy Belly pregnancy simulator, 1985

The Empathy Belly was invented in the 1980s by Linda Ware, Director and CEO of Birthways Childhood Resource Center in Redmond, Washington. It was originally made so men could experience and empathize with their partner's physical symptoms of pregnancy. However, the device soon became useful for teaching health and sex education in high schools.
ID Number:2000.42.1
Date:1985
Image of WTO protest sign,

WTO protest sign, "Not For Sale: Animals, Women, Our Food, Our Bodies, Life," 1999

This homemade sign was carried during the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle in 1999. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as the WTO's favoring of corporate interests over social and environmental concerns. Heavy police response included the use of riot gear, tear gas, and rubber bullets. The back side of…
ID Number:2001.46.2
Date:1999
Image of Seattle Raging Grannies hat with activist buttons, ca. 1995

Seattle Raging Grannies hat with activist buttons, ca. 1995

The Raging Grannies are an activist group made up of women old enough to be grandmothers. They advocate for environmental issues, peace, and social and economic justice. At protests, they dress up in clothes that play into and mock stereotypes of older women; such as colorful dresses, large hats, sweaters, and aprons. They also sing songs, using their own lyrics…
ID Number:2003.47.1
Date:Circa 1980-1990
Image of Button display for 1978 campaign,

Button display for 1978 campaign, "No on I-13"

In 1973, the City of Seattle adopted a fair employment ordinance which specifically prohibited discrimination against gay people in the workplace, followed by a fair housing ordinance in 1975. Initiative 13 was a 1978 attempt to repeal these ordinances and to dissolve the City of Seattle's Office of Women's Rights. Citizens to Retain Fair Employment (CRFE) sold pins in Seattle…
ID Number:2005.21.1
Date:1978
Image of Pin,

Pin, "Votes for Women W.F.L.", ca. 1907

The initials W.F.L. refers to the Women's Freedom League established in the United Kingdom in 1907. This organization inspired the citizens of Washington to enact women's suffrage for their state in 1910. The Washington law, however, allowed only those who could read and speak English to vote. Many women, includingimmigrant Asians and Native Americans, who were subject to other restrictive…
ID Number:2007.1.1
Date:Circa 1907
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