Strange Cat Propaganda Used During the Women’s Suffrage Movement
How the furry feline and independent women became intertwined
Cats have long been associated with women. Single, shrill women who are unable to find a man. There is some historical context to this is stereotype. At the turn of the century society saw a specific kind of female as a loveless woman who was only able to find companionship with her cranky cat. This woman was the suffragette.
The suffrage and anti-suffrage cartoons during this time are numerous. Besides cat cartoons the anti-suffrage movement pushed out lots of content to make the public despise suffragettes. Why? Because white women were gaining rights that threatened the status quo. They could live alone, hold a job, wear bloomers, and actually consider the possibility of an independent life. One thing they couldn’t do? Vote.
Yet women voting seemed unseemly to some. They likened suffragettes to children throwing a fit. Giving a woman the right to vote made as much sense as giving a cat the right to cast a ballot. So, basically, it didn’t make sense at all.
