WomenWomenWomen's History Month

71 Powerful Photos Of Women Protesting Throughout American History

The past, present, and future is female.
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Reporter, HuffPost

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Photo Editor, HuffPost

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As we celebrate the accomplishments of women during Women’s History Month, it’s essential that we also remember that there is still plenty to be fired up about.

But if there’s one thing American women know how to do, it’s resist. Just ask the millions of women who marched around the country in the Women’s Marches in 2017. Or the civil rights activists who came before them. Or the suffragettes who came before that.

To honor the revolutionary spirit of American women, we’ve rounded up 71 photos of women protesting throughout U.S. history to show just how strong that spirit is.

1909
Universal History Archive via Getty Images
Two Garment Workers Picketing, circa 1909.
1912
Bettmann via Getty Images
America suffragette parade in New York circa 1912.
1912
Chicago History Museum via Getty Images
Mrs Raymond Robbins and a group of women suffragists in front of the Coliseum at the time of the Republican National Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1912. The Coliseum was located at 1513 South Wabash Avenue. Robbins is holding a pennant that reads: 'Votes for women.' From the Chicago Daily News collection.
1913
Paul Thompson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association marching with a banner which publicizes their '1000 branches organized in 38 states' at the New York Suffragette Parade on May 3, 1913.
1918
Buyenlarge via Getty Images
Suffragettes hold up banner in front of a building that has an architrave sign of the National Woman's Party circa 1918.
1919
Universal History Archive/Getty Images
Lucy Branham, Suffragette, at Rally, Washington DC, USA, circa 1919.
1920
Bettmann via Getty Images
Boston women pickets are centering their drive to prevent the export of coal to that England on Sep. 22, 1920. Three of the women pickets are shown patrolling the waterfront in East Boston. The picketing is designed, the leaders said, to thwart the effort of Lloyd George to import 150,000,000 tons of coal from America to England thus breaking the strike of British Coal Miners.
1937
New York Times Co. via Getty Images
American police use tear gas against women pickets at the Newton Steel Company, Monroe, Michigan on June 10, 1937.
1935
Bettmann via Getty Images
Unemployed, single women protesting the job placement of married women before themselves at the Emergency Relief Administration headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts June 24, 1935.
1938
George Rinhart via Getty Images
Over three thousand Spanish American women, representing 20,000 members of the united Committees of Spanish Women in America arrived by special train in Washington today to publicize the plight of Spain's women and children and urge our government to revoke the embargo government of Spain circa 1938. Photo shows the sympathizers marching to the State Department and the white House with hopes of seeing the president and the Secretary of State. In the background can be seen the Capitol.
1946
Keystone-France via Getty Images
To protest against the rising prices, the GI's widows demonstrate on 5th Avenue, 1946 in New York City, United States.
1946
Jonathan Kirn/Corbis/Getty Images
Retail strike against Sears by clerks in Chicago, Illinois, USA, circa 1946.
1947
Bettmann via Getty Images
Employees of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios picket in a conga line before the dance studio offices today, May 7 in protest against Murray's alleged refusal to recognize Local 16, United Office and Professional Workers of America, CIO in New York on May 7, 1947.
1949
Bettmann via Getty Images
Two housewives in gay blue bonnets, Mrs. J.C. Alicoate (L) of Miami, and Mrs. Arthur Hebb, Jr. of Baltimore, add their bit towards the fight for repeal of the tax on oleomargarine. They parade with their signs near the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on March 3, 1949.
1951
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American housewives demonstrate against the high price of meat, on March 14, 1951 in the streets of Philadelphia.
1954
Bettmann via Getty Images
Negro delegates from several states parade with signs in front of the White House to protest the mob slaying of four negroes in Georgia recently in Washington, D.C circa 1954. The picketers were mostly women and they carried on their demonstration in an orderly manner, letting their signs tell their story.
Circa 1960s
Bettmann via Getty Images
Picture shows people picketing outside of the White House in protest of the US involvement with Cuba. The woman in the foreground is holding a sign plainly stating her point, 'Don't invade Cuba'. Undated photo circa 1960s.
1961
Bettmann via Getty Images
A group of women outside the Russian Mission to the United Nations in New York City protest the testing of nuclear arms on Nov. 1, 1961. They are part of the Women's Strike for Peace, a one-day demonstration by American women in many cities throughout the United States.
1963
Afro Newspaper/Gado via Getty Images
A full length portrait of a woman holding up a poster and demonstrating outside a Police Station, Gwynn Oak, Maryland, July 1, 1963.
1963
Dick DeMarsico/World Telegram and Sun/Universal History Archive/Getty Images
African American woman being carried to police patrol wagon during demonstration in Brooklyn, New York circa 1963.
1965
George Crouter via Getty Images
Denver members of Women's League for International Peace and Freedom display sing of protest, photo left. They're Mrs. John Gilmore, left, and Mrs. Caswell Silver on Dec 10, 1965.
1965
UPI/Bettmann/Getty Images
Alabama State troopers 'frisk' Negro youths arrested during demonstrations here prior to boarding them on buses. More than 130 were arrested in Marion, AL on Feb. 5, 1965.
1965
Bettmann via Getty Images
The House of Representatives met today to affirm seating of its Mississippi members, as Civil Rights demonstrators massed in silent support of their claim that the State's elections were illegal because blacks were barred from the polls August 17, 1965. Three members of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's contestants for the state's five seats hold a telegram from Speaker John McCormick granting them permission to take seats on the House floor during the debate. They are, left to right: Fannie Lou Hamer, Victoria Gray, and Annie Devine.
1967
Bettmann via Getty Images
Demonstrators representing the 'Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam,' jam to the barred main gate of the White House today in Washington, D.C. on May 17, 1967. The group was led by Mrs. Martin Luther King (center) and Dr. Benjamin Spock (glasses, directly behind Mrs. King), who read a statement denouncing the Administration policies in Vietnam.
1967
Bettmann via Getty Images
Carrying graphically illustrated anti-Vietnamese war posters, members of the 'Women's Strike for Peace' push their way to the doors of the Pentagon Building on Feb. 16, 1967. The main doors of the building were locked for 30 minutes, as the women stormed the doors in an effort to gain entrance. This photo is a close-up of the group.
1967
Bettmann via Getty Images
In the Boston Marathon, one of two women running in the normally all-male-race, Kathy Switzer, (261) of Syracuse, New York, is being hassled by BAA Marathon Director Bill Cloney, as he attempted to stop her from competing on April 19, 1967. The dark-haired girl did not show up for the physical examination required of all starters, (had she appeared at the starting line, she would never have been allowed to compete). she remained in the race, but was never seen near the finish line.
1968
Harvey Silver via Getty Images
Two older women making peace signs during anti-Vietnam war march on April 27, 1968.
1968
New York Post Archives via Getty Images
Several women protesters burn what they say are draft cards belonging to friend in a demonstration at the Federal court today in support of Dr. Benjamin Spock. Spock and three others were convicted in Boston Tuesday of conspiring to counsel young men to evade the draft. June 20, 1968.
1968
Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Women hold up signs demanding equal rights during a demonstration for women's liberation, New York City, circa 1968.
1969
David Fenton/Getty Images
A young American woman holds up a sign as she protests for women's rights in front of the Federal Trade Commission headquarters while policemen look on during Richard Nixon's inauguration weekend, Washington, DC, January 18-21, 1969. Her sign reads 'Judge women as people not as wives.'
1969
Wally McNamee via Getty Images
A woman emerges from a crowd of peace demonstrators making peace signs and singing for peace at a demonstration against the Vietnamese War circa 1969.
1969
David Fenton via Getty Images
A group of young women have arms interlocked as they hold a metal pipe and protest the Vietnam War at Fort Dix, a major transshipment point for American soldiers, Fort Dix, New Jersey, October 12, 1969.
1969
Archive Photos via Getty Images
Students march with anti-war placards on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley, California, 1969.
1969
David Fenton via Getty Images
A woman at a rally in support of the Black Panthers, holding copies of The Black Panther newspaper, New Haven, CT, November, 1969.
Circa 1970s
Cincinnati Museum Center via Getty Images
A lone woman stands on a corner protesting unequal pay for women in an unidentified section of Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1970s.
1970
Keystone via Getty Images
A women's liberation demonstration in New York on Aug. 26, 1970.
1971
Bettmann via Getty Images
The Women's Rights Movement marked the 51st anniversary of women's suffrage with a series of profile-raising demonstrations here, climaxing in a mass march up 5th Avenue late on August 26, 1971. These three women are among the thousands who marched behind the banners reading 'Equality' and '51% of Everything' of the National Organization for Women.
1973
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U.S. Marshals standing roadblock duty on the access road to Wounded Knee on March 1, 1973, watch as a Native American woman gives a clenched fist salute. On February 27th, the 72 day occupation and protest at the Wounded Knee began between the civil rights group the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the United States government. The AIM took eleven hostages initially, though they were released on March 1st. The protest was a demonstration against injustices by the federal and tribal governments.
1974
Barbara Freeman via Getty Images
A woman at a 1974 reproductive rights march in Pittsburgh, PA holds a sign reading 'Defend Women's Right To Choose'.
1975
New York Post Archives via Getty Images
Greek-American women and supporters demonstrate outside the UN to demand that Greek Cypriot refugees be allowed to return to their homes in Turkish- occupied areas of Cyprus. An estimated 5000 women staged a walk to the TIN, in conjunction with similar demonstrations in London, Athens and the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, Cyprus. April 20, 1975.
1976
Barbara Freeman via Getty Images
Older women gather at a demonstration in support of passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, Pittsburgh PA, 1976. Three foreground women's signs read 'Grandmas for the ERA' and 'Grandmas N.O.W.' (National Organization for Women).
Circa 1977
Peter Keegan via Getty Images
Women taking part in a demonstration in New York demanding safe legal abortions for all women circa 1977.
Circa 1978
Erika Stone via Getty Images
A group of young people lying down at a peace demonstration in New York City, circa 1978.
1979
Barbara Alper via Getty Images
Women Against Pornography (WAP) demonstrators march on Times Square, New York City, USA, 20th October 1979.
1984
Boston Globe via Getty Images
Chanting, 'We're going to stop rape now,' a coalition of women's groups gathered in Downtown Crossing in Boston on April 21, 1984, to protest the treatment of the victim in the highly publicized New Bedford barroom rape trial. The demonstration came one month after four men were convicted of raping a 21-year-old mother on a pool table in Big Dan's tavern in New Bedford. The case drew nationwide publicity when police reported that others in the bar cheered during the attack. The trial was broadcast daily on cable television.
1989
Mark Reinstein via Getty Images
Protestors for and against abortion face off against each other as the court rules on Webster v Reproductive Health Services. Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, 492 U.S. 490 (1989), was a United States Supreme Court decision on July 3, 1989 upholding a Missouri law that imposed restrictions on the use of state funds, facilities, and employees in performing, assisting with, or counseling on abortions in Washington, DC. on July 3, 1989.
1993
Mark Reinstein via Getty Images
The March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation was a large political rally that took place in Washington, D.C. on April 25, 1993. Organizers estimated that 1,000,000 attended the March. The D.C. Police Department put the number between 800,000 and more than 1 million. The National Park Service estimated attendance at 300,000, but their figure attracted so much negative attention that it shortly thereafter stopped issuing attendance. (Photo by Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
1995
Evan Agostini via Getty Images
'Ms.' magazine founder Gloria Steinem marches at the Women's Rights rally October 7, 1995 in New York City. The rally protested the arrival of Pope John Paul II, whose conservative doctrine on issues such as abortion, sex, and homosexuality contradict the ideology of many women's rights groups. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Liaison)
1999
Karie Hamilton via Getty Images
A demonstrator holds a flower that she says is a symbol of hope on Dec. 3, 1999.
2000
MANNY CENETA via Getty Images
Kim Gandy (L), from Louisiana, along with other members of tha National Oragnization of Women (NOW) and other feminist groups shout slogans while demonstrating 25 August, 2000 in front of the Republican Party headquarters in Washington, DC. NOW is protesting US presidential candidate George W. Bush's record on women's rights.
2003
mark peterson via Getty Images
Pro-abortion activists holding signs stand together in Washington, DC in front of the Supreme Court Building on Jan, 22, 2003. Anti-abortion and pro-abortion activists marched during the March of Life as part of a day long remembrance of the 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling that made abortion legal.
2003
Stefan Zaklin via Getty Images
WASHINGTON - MARCH 15: Thousands of demonstrators gather near the Washington Monument before marching to the White House March 15, 2003 in Washington, DC. A large anti-war demonstration organized by International ANSWER was held in protest of the possible war with Iraq. (Photo by Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images)
2004
MCT via Getty Images
Aisha Bain, 25, center, of New York City, joins thousands of fellow protesters in Washington, D.C., Sunday, April 25, 2004 during the 'March for Women's Lives,' a pro-choice rally held on the National Mall.
2004
Ramin Talaie via Getty Images
On Good Friday, immigrants from the Mexican community group the Tepeyac Association demonstrate on Good Friday in front of Federal Plaza demanding equal rights for immigrant workers and criticizing the Bush administration on its immigration policies on April 9, 2004.
2004
Chris Hondros via Getty Images
A woman displays an anti-Bush placard August 30, 2004 in New York City. Dozens of protests are scheduled during the Republican National Convention which is held this week.
2005
Win McNamee via Getty Images
Two anti-war protesters kiss while demonstrating in front of the White House September 26, 2005 in Washington, DC. Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, was the first of many protesters arrested while demonstrating against the war in front of the White House.
2005
DON EMMERT via Getty Images
A woman holds a sign at a labor rally to protest the privatization of Social Security 31 March, 2005, in New York. US President George W. Bush has expressed confidence about one of his chief domestic priorities, the partial privatization of the government-run Social Security retirement program, despite polls showing broad skepticism.
2007
MANNIE GARCIA via Getty Images
A young woman marches to mark the 40 year anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the the West Bank, in Washington, DC 10 June, 2007. The rally and march from the US Capitol building to the White House was organized by United for Peace and Justice and US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, to protest the 40th year anniversary of Israeli presence in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
2008
Win McNamee via Getty Images
Anti-war protesters take part in a demonstration titled 'March of the Dead' near Arlington Cemetery's Women's Memorial March 19, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. Protesters dressed in all black, wearing white skull masks carrying the names and ages of the civilian dead of Iraq, Afghanistan and the U.S. military marched into Washington, DC marking the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.
2011
Andrew Burton via Getty Images
A woman puts her hands up in defense during a fight between police and protestors affiliated with Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park on November 17, 2011 in New York City. The day has been marked by sporadic violence, arrests, and injuries sustained by both protesters and police.
2011
Mario Tama via Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 01: Police arrest a demonstrator affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement after she and fellow protesters attempted to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on the motorway on October 1, 2011 New York City. The arrested woman is seen screaming out her name to supporters on the pedestrian bridge above who were recording names of those arrested. This portion of the bridge is not intended for pedestrians and as the marchers attempted to cross, they were stopped midway by police. Hundreds of protesters were arrested. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
2016
KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
A woman holds a banner during a protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in New York on July 09, 2016. The gunman behind a sniper-style attack in Dallas was an Army veteran and loner driven to exact revenge on white officers after the recent deaths of two black men at the hands of police, authorities have said. Micah Johnson, 25, had no criminal history, Dallas police said in a statement.
2016
JASON REDMOND via Getty Images
People march in protest against US President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle, Washington on November 14, 2016. Protesters have denounced Trump's often-inflammatory campaign rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and women. Trump initially denounced the protests against him, saying they were 'incited' by the media but then reversed course and praised the demonstrators for their 'passion for our great country.'
2017
Bloomberg via Getty Images
Demonstrators hold a signs and a banner while marching during the Women's March of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrations around the world are planned in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest inauguration-related demonstration in United States history.
2017
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
Demonstrators protest on the National Mall in Washington, DC, during the Women's March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
2017
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Krista Bouton (R) hugs a friend during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
2017
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A woman in the crowd chants in opposition to the Muslim Ban in New York city, USA, on 11 February 2017. Protesters marched from Foley Sq to the offices of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to protest what has been called the Muslim Ban.
2017
JASON REDMOND via Getty Images
A woman demonstrates with others in support of immigrants and refugees in Seattle, Washington on January 29, 2017. US President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.
2017
Boston Globe via Getty Images
Protesters fill Pennsylvania Avenue during a rally at the Women's March on Washington, Jan. 21, 2017.
2017
DON EMMERT via Getty Images
Protesters gather in midtown Manhattan as part of the Women's march vowing to resist US President Trump January 21, 2017 in New York. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump.
2017
Brazil Photo Press/CON via Getty Images
A woman is arrested by police officers during a demonstration to protest against President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries and the LGBT community at Stonewall on February 04, 2017 in New York City, US.

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