Alice Paul

Alice Paul was the architect of some of the most outstanding political achievements on behalf of women in the 20th century. Born on January 11, 1885 of Quaker parents in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, Alice Paul dedicated her life to the single cause of securing equal rights for all women.

Few individuals have had as much impact on American history as has Alice Paul. Her life symbolizes the long struggle for justice in the United States and around the world. Her vision was the ordinary notion that women and men should be equal partners in society.

Alice Paul courageously led the final campaign for women's right to vote. She stood up to Congress and the President of the United States, inspiring thousands to join the struggle. As a brilliant political strategist, Alice understood that securing the right to vote was only the first step. After the 1920 victory, she authored the Equal Rights Amendment and initiated gender equality in both the United Nations Charter and in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Alice Paul died on July 9, 1977 in Moorestown, New Jersey, just a few miles away from her birthplace and family home of Paulsdale.

Paulsdale is a 6.5-acre homestead located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885, to Quaker parents William Mickle Paul and Tacie Parry Paul in the family's three-story farmhouse, which now stands as the centerpiece of the property. The home was occupied by the Paul family from 1883 to 1958. Throughout her life, Alice returned home to Paulsdale to regain her strength and gather sustenance for her work on behalf of women's rights.

Today, Alice's home serves as the headquarters of the Alice Paul Institute (API) and its programs, as well as an educational resource center for information regarding Alice Paul and women's history.

In 1990, API purchased Paulsdale to commemorate Alice's accomplishments on behalf of women and to create a powerful symbol of her place in history. Paulsdale was designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1991 and is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. Paulsdale is one of the few NHLs in the country that commemorates the life and work of a woman and is open to the public.

API initiated the historic restoration of Paulsdale in May 2001. The majority of the project was completed in July 2002, with the rehabilitation of the house. API continues to raise funds to complete the wrap around porch. In the future, API intends to restore other buildings on the property: a garage and an icehouse.

Second Saturday Tours of the grounds are available. With no appointment necessary, enjoy a beautiful afternoon tour of historic Paulsdale! Tours begin with a 15-minute DVD presentation, The Life of Alice Stokes Paul, 1885-1977. Guests then walk around the porch to learn about the farm that once surrounded Paulsdale. inside the house, visitors learn about the Paul family's daily life in the house, the restoration of the site, and its present day use as a women's history and girl's leadership center. Though the house has no period furnishings, there is plenty of history within its walls, including dozens of historic photographs and documents. Tours begin at noon and 1pm on the second Saturday of each month.

There are lots of great and informative/educational activities and events at Paulsdale as well. To check out their calendar, click here or go to their website and click on the Events link in the purple navigation bar at the top of the page.

Information provided by The Alice Paul Institute. For more information about Alice Paul and the Alice Paul Institute, visit their website, alicepaul.org.

Updated 5/30/15

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Author: R. Cohen