Caroline Spencer

Caroline Spencer (October 30, 1861 – September 16, 1928) was an American physician and suffragist who campaigned extensively for women's rights, both in her home state of Colorado and on the national level. She was one of many Silent Sentinels who demonstrated in front of the White House, and also participated in Watchfires, during the final months before the Nineteenth amendment was passed. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2006.

Spencer suffered from chronic bronchitis and asthma and in 1889, she visited Colorado hoping that the climate would be beneficial. Four years later, after obtaining her medical degree, she moved to the state, and settled in Colorado Springs.

Activism In Colorado, Spencer became active in the Woman's Suffrage Movement.

Between 1917 and 1919, Spencer was one of many women who became known as the Silent Sentinel, as they stood in front of the White House and carried pickets and banners for their cause. Although it was not illegal to picket, after the U.S. entered the war in 1917, Alice Paul was warned by police that arrests would be made if the women continued. Caroline Spencer was arrested on three occasions and subsequently imprisoned twice.

Woman Suffrage Jail Pin given to women who were jailed as a result of picketing the White House.

On October 20, 1917, Spencer was again arrested, along with Alice Paul, Gladys Grenier and Gertrude Crocker, while picketing at the west gate of the White House. Following their trial, both Paul and Spencer, who were carrying banners, were given 7 month sentences; Grenier and Crocker were given the choice of a $5 fine or 30 days in jail. They refused to pay a fine and were jailed.

Following her release, Spencer returned to Colorado for a long period of recuperation. In late 1918, she wrote to Alice Paul, stating her desire to return to Washington when the amendment vote approached.