“In Relation to the Rights of Suffrage”: The 1911 Amendment for Women’s Voting Rights in California

This trademark for “Equality Brand Tea” depicts a drawing of a ribbon with “Votes for Women” emblazoned on it, surrounding a teacup labeled “Equality.” Packed for the Woman’s Suffrage Party of California, the trademark was a marketing tactic used by the organization to promote and raise money for their cause.

George W. Caswell, the tea’s distributor and a well-known coffee and tea merchant in San Francisco, officially filed the trademark on June 22, 1911. However, in keeping with the practice of actively using trademarks in commerce prior to filing, Caswell began distributing the tea in support of the Women’s Suffrage Party beginning in 1910. The proceeds from the sale of Caswell’s tea provided crucial funding during the 1911 campaign for women’s suffrage in California.