Design a Banner

Vocabulary Words

• Suffragist: Someone who advocated for the voting rights of women.

• Amendment: A change or addition to a law.

• Constitution: The set of laws that guides our country.

What is a banner?

A banner is a long strip of cloth decorated with a slogan or design. It is hung in a public place or carried in a demonstration or parade.

Who carried Votes for Women banners?

Votes for Women banners were carried by people called suffragists. Suffragists believed that women should have the right to vote and a voice in government, just as men did. Suffragists spent many decades fighting for this right.

How did suffragists share their message?

Suffragists organized parades, speaking tours and demonstrations in cities across the country. They gave out reading materials and held big, bold banners. Their banners often included slogans and the colors purple, white and yellow.

Why did suffragists use banners?

While some states gave women voting rights, many states did not. Banners were one way to gain the public’s attention and support. In 1920 after decades of struggle, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution extended the right to vote to millions of women. The amendment marked one step in a long fight to win equal voting rights for all Americans.

YOU WILL NEED:

Construction paper, Scissors, Glue stick, Rod or popsicle stick, Pencil, Markers and/or colored pencils, Ribbon, String

Steps

1. Fold an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper in half, lengthwise (hotdog style), and cut along the crease.

   You will only need one of the two halves.

2. Draw a line down the center of the paper, lengthwise (hotdog style). Mark a point 2 inches from the bottom of each long side. Then from that 2 inch mark, draw a line to the corners of the paper to create a small triangle on both ends.

3. Cut out each triangle. Then fold the paper in half widthwise (hamburger style) so that the paper points line up.

4. Draw a design about your cause on one side of your banner. Use markers, colored pencils, ribbons, and other materials to make your banner unique.

5. Open your banner and place a popsicle stick, or dowel rod, along the middle crease.

6. Use a glue stick along the inside edges of your banner. Fold over, lining up the points once more, and press down for 5 seconds.

7. Cut string to desired length. Tie one end of the string to the end of the popsicle stick and repeat on the opposite side. Cut any excess string on the sides.

8. Hang your banner for everyone to see!