I know my father believed and my mother believed in and supported

Host: The quiet of the evening surrounded the room, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm, reflective light across the space. Jack sat at the table, his fingers resting lightly on his cup, contemplating the weight of Alice Paul's words. Jeeny stood near the window, her gaze turned outward, clearly reflecting on the powerful legacy Paul describes.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about what Alice Paul said: ‘I know my father believed and my mother believed in and supported the suffrage movement, and I remember my mother taking me to suffrage meetings held in the home of a Quaker family that lived not far from us.’ It’s such a profound recollection, isn’t it? The way she links her own journey with the activism of her parents, especially her mother’s involvement in the suffrage movement. It’s not just about her mother’s belief in the cause—it’s about passing on that belief to her.”

Jack: “Yes, exactly. Paul is showing us that the fight for women’s rights was deeply personal for her family. The suffrage movement wasn’t just something her parents supported—it was something they lived and practiced. By taking her to meetings, her mother was not just advocating for women’s right to vote; she was actively involving Alice in the struggle, showing her the importance of action and participation. It’s a powerful example of how values are passed down—not just through words, but through involvement and shared experiences.”

Jeeny: “Right. It makes me think about how important it is for parents to model the values they want to instill in their children. Alice Paul’s mother didn’t just talk about the importance of the suffrage movement—she showed her daughter through direct action, by involving her in the very heart of the fight. It wasn’t just about the political change—it was about teaching the next generation the power of activism and advocacy.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepened as they both reflected on how movements like suffrage don’t just rely on laws and policies—they rely on the way families, communities, and individuals pass down their values. Jack’s fingers rested on the table, while Jeeny’s expression softened, thinking about the ripple effect of social change and how it starts in the home.

Jack: “It makes me think about how much of what we fight for is shaped by our upbringing, by the way we’re taught to see the world and what’s possible. Alice Paul didn’t just adopt her parents’ beliefs—she was actively taught how to engage with them, how to make them part of her daily life. It’s not just about believing in a cause; it’s about living it and passing that sense of purpose down to others.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And I think what’s so powerful about this moment is that Alice Paul’s parents were showing her that change doesn’t happen by waiting for others to take action. They were demonstrating that real change requires participation, engagement, and the courage to challenge the status quo. By taking her to those suffrage meetings, her mother wasn’t just explaining why voting rights were important—she was showing Alice that she, too, had a role to play in shaping the future.”

Jack: “And that’s something we often forget, isn’t it? Change isn’t just about having good intentions or talking about what needs to be done. It’s about getting involved, about being part of something that requires effort, sacrifice, and action. Alice Paul’s mother was teaching her not just the value of the suffrage movement, but how to live as an activist, how to make that belief a part of her life. It’s a beautiful way of passing down not just a cause, but a way of life.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and it’s a reminder that movements, whether they’re for women’s rights, civil rights, or any other cause, don’t just live in the streets or in meetings—they start in homes. They start with the conversations we have, the values we instill, and the way we teach the next generation to take up the mantle. Alice Paul’s journey shows us that activism can be something personal—it’s not just about joining a movement, it’s about living it every day and teaching others to do the same.”

Host: The quiet in the room had grown deeper, the realization that the suffrage movement, and any movement for social change, is not just about grand gestures or historical milestones—it’s about the everyday actions, the conversations, and the way families pass down the values of justice and equality. Alice Paul’s words had sparked a reflection on how change begins with individuals and how personal involvement can ripple outward to create something much larger. Jack leaned back slightly in his chair, while Jeeny’s gaze softened, reflecting on the legacy of activism that transcends generations.

Jack: “So, what Paul is showing us is that change starts with personal commitment. It’s about passing on the values of activism through actions, not just words. Her mother wasn’t just telling her about the importance of the suffrage movement—she was teaching her to be part of it, to take ownership of it, and to carry it forward.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Activism isn’t just a political statement—it’s a lifestyle, a way of being that’s passed on through actions and involvement. Alice Paul’s mother was showing her that real change requires participation and effort, that it’s about living the cause, not just talking about it.”

Host: The evening had fully settled in, the quiet understanding that the fight for change is shaped not just by movements, but by the personal involvement and commitment of each generation. Alice Paul’s words had reminded them both that change is built on the small, everyday actions—on the conversations, the beliefs, and the involvement that starts in our homes and extends out to the world. The world outside had darkened, but inside, there was light—a recognition that activism is not just about the work we do on the grand scale, but about the work we do at home, in the hearts of those who will carry it forward.