Born: July 28, 1879 (New York, USA)
Died: December 22, 1966
Biography:
Lucy Burns (July 28, 1879 – December 22, 1966) was an American suffragist and women’s rights advocate. She was a passionate activist in the United States and the United Kingdom, who joined the militant suffragettes. Burns was a close friend of Alice Paul, and together they ultimately formed the National Woman’s Party.
Burns was born in New York to an Irish Catholic family. Described as a woman of twofold ability by fellow National Woman’s Party member Inez Haynes Irwin, Burns possessed eloquence and elegance both in her speaking and writing. She had a quick and warm intellect, accompanied by a winning Irishness that added grace and charm to her personality. Education played a significant role in shaping Burns’ intellectual prowess. She first attended Packer Collegiate Institute, also known as the Brooklyn Female Academy. Packer Collegiate Institute aimed to educate girls to be ladies while promoting more liberal ideas such as thinking with clarity and force. It was during her time at Packer Collegiate Institute that Burns encountered a lifelong role model, Laura Wylie, who was one of the first women to attend Yale University Graduate School. Burns further pursued her education at Columbia University, Vassar College, and Yale University before becoming an English teacher.
After teaching at Erasmus High School in Brooklyn for two years, Burns decided to continue her studies overseas. In 1906, she moved to Germany and studied at the Universities of Bonn and Berlin until 1909. Burns then traveled to the United Kingdom, where she enrolled at Oxford University to study English. Her father, Edwards Burns, generously supported her education, enabling her to gain an extensive educational background.
Burns’ first significant activism experiences took place from 1909 to 1912 while she was in the United Kingdom. During her graduate school years in Germany, Burns met Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia. Inspired by their activism and charisma, Burns decided to abandon her studies and join the Women’s Social and Political Union, an organization dedicated to fighting for women’s rights in the United Kingdom. She began selling their newsletter, Votes for Women, and participated in a protest on June 29, 1909, where she was arrested. Burns was later employed by the Pankhursts, with whom she developed a close bond.
Returning to the United States in 1912, Burns brought her newfound knowledge and experiences to the suffrage movement. She formed a deep friendship with Alice Paul, and together they founded the National Woman’s Party (NWP) in 1916. The NWP was known for its militant approach to advocating for women’s suffrage, employing tactics such as picketing the White House and engaging in hunger strikes while imprisoned.
Burns played a crucial role in the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. She endured numerous arrests, physical abuse, and force-feeding while imprisoned. Despite the challenges, Burns remained resolute in her pursuit of equal rights for women.
After the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, Burns continued her activism for women’s rights. She focused on issues such as marriage equality, equal pay, and reproductive rights. Burns’s dedication and unwavering commitment to advancing women’s rights made her a significant figure in women’s history.
Lucy Burns spent the remainder of her life advocating for social justice causes and educating others about the importance of gender equality. She passed away on December 22, 1966, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the fight for women’s rights.