A group of ten women, known as the Silent Sentinels, were arrested while picketing outside the White House to advocate for women's suffrage. Dressed in white, the women held banners with messages demanding that President Woodrow Wilson support the suffrage amendment. This protest was part of a larger ongoing campaign led by the National Woman's Party, which began in early 1917, promoting equal voting rights for women at a time when such movements were gaining momentum across the nation. The Silent Sentinels formed a strategic, symbolic presence at the nation’s most prominent government building, which drew significant public and media attention to their cause.

The atmosphere was charged, as local and national discussions about women’s rights were intensifying. Their arrest, following weeks of similar protests, served to spotlight both the fervor of the campaign and the government’s unwillingness to engage seriously with the issue of women's suffrage. The women implemented a strategy of peaceful demonstration to highlight the urgency of their request, emphasizing their commitment to non-violent protest despite the risks involved. By standing firm in their beliefs, the Silent Sentinels aimed to challenge societal norms and secure political rights for women.

The arrest of these suffragists marked a significant escalation in the movement. The media coverage that followed brought national prominence to their cause, garnering sympathy and support for women's voting rights. This pivotal moment not only demonstrated the effectiveness of strategic civil disobedience but also galvanized other women across the country to join the fight for suffrage, pushing them further into the national spotlight and setting the stage for future activism.