The Repeal Movement, Pt. 1 - The Importance of Women

I'm fascinated by the social movements behind the passage and repeal of prohibition. I'll take a few blog posts to highlight some of the more interesting people and circumstances important at that time in American history. Today, a bit on Pauline Sabin and the role of women: 

Repeal of Prohibition in the United States likely would have happened eventually in almost any circumstance. But, the particular timing of the 21st Amendment’s passage and ratification – only thirteen years into the Prohibition experiment - was brought on in part due to the work and commitment of several policy entrepreneurs. These individuals had their own reasons for dedicating their time and resources to the repeal cause, and played their own role in the success of this movement.

Pauline Sabin was an heiress and socialite who found passion in political life, becoming one of the most prominent patrons of politicians in her time, and one of the most visible women to champion parties, politicians, and causes. Sabin was a devoted Republican for much of her life, though it would be the party’s stance (or lack thereof) on the issue of repeal that would drive her away from the party for which she’d previously served on its National Committee. Even though most reports suggest she enjoyed a drink or two at social gatherings, she was initially a supporter of Prohibition, commenting that “a world without liquor would be a beautiful thing.” However, after years observing Prohibition’s many failings, she changed her mind in a very public fashion. Sabin wrote an article in mid-1928 entitled “I Change My Mind on Prohibition” in which she explained her stance and her passion for the wet cause. Sabin was moved to the wet cause because she came to believe that Prohibition had led to a country of more drinking and looser morals. She was especially disturbed by the lack of regard for the rule of law – the flagrant disregard for the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act and the utter lack of enforcement in many places gave her pause. If people (especially young people) were going to ignore this law, what stopped them from ignoring others? For this reason, among others, she became one of the leading force behind the movement to repeal the 18th Amendment.

After Republican President Herbert Hoover announced his continued support of Prohibition in his inaugural address in 1929, Sabin formally resigned her post on the Republican National Committee and soon after formed the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR). She used this organization and her significant social stature to give interviews and speeches around the country, rallying women (and men) to the cause of repeal. Many of her initial compatriots were other prominent society women, but the WONPR soon found itself with over one million members. Women had been instrumental in the passage of Prohibition in the first place, and Pauline Sabin and her organization managed to put American women at the forefront of repeal as well.