Justice Bell Foundation
Reclaiming Women's History ~ Highlighting Women's Contributions ~ Promoting Voter Participation
The Justice Bell and the Fight for the Vote
Pennsylvania Women and the Expansion of Democracy
Panel One: Erie Leads the Way
In 1913, Erie hosted one of Pennsylvania’s first suffrage parades when local women helped energize the statewide campaign for votes for women.
The photograph at the top of the panel shows Pennsylvania suffragists marching in the Perry Centennial parade on July 8, 1913. The photograph is from the private collection of Dr. Kenneth Florey, suffrage memorabilia historian and author of American Woman Suffrage Postcards: A Study and Catalog where the image is included, and Women’s Suffrage Memorabilia: An Illustrated Historical Study.
The second photograph of the parade is from the private postcard collection of Lauren Thor. Thor has given presentations about women’s suffrage to postcard clubs and civic groups, and museums have included postcards from her collection for their exhibits.
Photo information and permissions from Dr. Kenneth Florey and Lauren Thor Images from the suffrage division of the 1913 Perry Centennial Parade have found their way into private collections. We have included two images on Panel One with permission from Dr. Kenneth Florey and Lauren Thor.
Learn More about August Fleming
Augusta Fleming participated in the 1915 Justice Bell Tour and is featured in The Justice Bell: Tracing the Journey of a Forgotten Symbol by Amanda Owen
Alexander Street: Online Biographical Dictionary
National Votes for Women Trail Pomeroy Marker
Find a Grave
Erie Cemetery
Augusta Fleming gravesite is in Erie Cemetery in addition to sixteen other suffragists. Erie Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Linda Bolla, genealogist and public historian, has created a map of Erie suffragists and their gravesite locations, which can be downloaded for personal and classroom use only.
Special Note
Information and images provided on the panel and this corresponding website page are intended for personal and classroom use only. The information and its presentation remain the intellectual property of the authors, in partnership with the Justice Bell Foundation, and may not be reproduced, republished, distributed, or otherwise used for commercial or other purposes without permission.
Click on a panel image below to view a larger image. Click on the links below to read about other panels.
Explore the Exhibit
As you move through the exhibition, you'll explore the story of the Justice Bell, the women who fought for voting rights, and the movement that helped expand American democracy. We invite you to consider not only how the vote was won but also why civic participation continues to matter today.
In 1913, Erie hosted one of Pennsylvania’s first suffrage parades when local women helped energize the statewide campaign for votes for women.
Panel Two: Pennsylvania Women Organize
Discover the statewide network of women and organizations that organized meetings, rallies, publications, and public events to advance the campaign for women's suffrage.
Panel Three: Creating a Woman’s Liberty Bell
Learn how Pennsylvania suffragists created the Justice Bell, a powerful symbol modeled after the Liberty Bell.
Panel Four: The 1915 Justice Bell Tour
Follow the Justice Bell’s journey across Pennsylvania during the 1915 suffrage campaign.
Panel Five: The Justice Bell Rings
After a long struggle for voting rights, the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 marked a historic victory for women’s suffrage.
Panel Six: We Stand on Their Shoulders
Meet some of the remarkable women whose courage and determination helped secure voting rights for women and strengthen American democracy.
