Tennessee Equal Suffrage Association Banner

The Tennessee Equal Suffrage Banner, was produced around the early 1900's with the aim to portray messages with specific symbolic imagery and color. What was stereotypically associated with women color wise - pink -  was used against women as it became vital in anti-suffrage propaganda. With the gender stereotype tied into a negative association women for suffrage adopted the color yellow. This yellow and gold color association emerged in 1867 when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were in Kansas advocating for a state suffrage, the two adopted the colors found within their state flower, the sunflower, as a symbol of the cause. 

In addition to its bright visuals was the colors as a use of representation in each of the movement's values. Yellow/gold was to symbolize hope, optimism, and the fight for women's rights.  The choice in using these specific colors allowed for a challenge in gender expectations. 

The banner's imagery also conveyed profound messages, with the tree in the top third of the banner symbolizing freedom, as it was associated to play a similar role within the American Revolution.  Both color and symbolism  within this banner pushed back against pre-established gender stereotypes, challenging the notion that women should remain confined to what was stereotypically theirs within the home . Through these banners, suffragists visually asserted their rightful place in Tennessee's society, where the banner was debuted.  This allowed for the shaping  of the modern nation-state, using design as a tool to dismantle gender roles and advocate for equality.