“Prisoner of Freedom” Pin

The arrests and civil disobedience of the suffragists, combined with the retaliatory force-feedings, shocked the nation and brought unfavorable attention to the Wilson administration, which suddenly capitulated and ordered the release of all suffrage prisoners in late November 1917. A celebration was quickly planned for December 6 in Washington, at which each “prisoner of freedom” was honored and presented a silver “Jailed for Freedom” pin in the shape of a cell door, fashioned after a similar pin presented to imprisoned British suffragettes.