Rather than conduct costly campaigns on a state-by-state basis, Alice Paul pursued the long-lasting impact of
passing a constitutional amendment at the national level. She believed that securing equal rights for women through a constitutional amendment would not only provide immediate legal protection, but also ensure long-term and consistent protection across all states.
By focusing on a national constitutional amendment, Alice Paul aimed to create a fundamental change in the legal and societal standing of women. She understood that state-by-state campaigns could be inconsistent and easily rolled back. Additionally, pursuing a constitutional amendment would provide a stronger legal foundation, making it more difficult for future legislation or court decisions to undermine women's rights.
Paul's strategy involved organizing a nationwide campaign to generate support for the amendment. She used various tactics such as lobbying, picketing, hunger strikes, and public demonstrations to raise awareness and put pressure on lawmakers to support the cause. This nationwide approach enabled her to reach a larger audience and create a unified movement.
Ultimately, her efforts led to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. This landmark achievement not only had an immediate impact on women's suffrage but also paved the way for subsequent advancements in women's rights, such as the Equal Rights Amendment.
By pursuing a national constitutional amendment, Alice Paul sought to establish enduring legal protections for women, recognizing that incremental progress on a state level would not be sufficient to achieve true equality. Her strategy has had a lasting impact on women's rights in the United States and serves as a reminder of the power of a national, unified approach to creating systemic change.