Women’s suffrage

During the late 19th century, women were in a society where man was dominant. Women not having natural born rights, such as the right to vote, to speak in public, access to equal education, and so forth, did not stop them to fight for their rights. Women’s lives soon changed when Lucy Stone, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony played a prominent role to help bring about change. Lucy Stone, an abolitionist, is one of the most important workers for women’s suffrage and women’s rights.

When the Bible was quoted to her, defending the positions of men and women, she declared that when she grew up, she’d learn Greek and Hebrew so she could correct the mistranslation that she was sure was behind these verses (Lewis) Doing so she showed the translations were unfair to women. Because her father couldnt support her education, she saved her own money to go to college and was the first woman in Massuchussetts to graduate, proving to women they have the ability to have equal education as men.

Right after being first woman to graduate, she was the first to give her public speech in Congregational Church, not having yet her rights, and is now recognized as an honorable speaker. (ibid) Lucy Stone portrays female dominance by going against the law to earn women’s rights. Lucy was hired at AERA, but her speech in 1850 converted Susan B. Anthony to the suffrage cause, later split with Anthony over strategy and tactics, splitting the suffrage movement into two major branches. She continued to be an editor for the Woman’s Journal.

Lucy Stone’s radical move to keep her own name continued to inspire, she is still remembered, today, as the first woman to keep her own name after marriage. (ibid) Elizabeth Cady Stanton outraged by the denial of women’s rights, she fought for rights in the National Woman Suffrage Association serving as president. After 1851, Stanton worked in close partnership with Susan B. Anthony. Stanton often served as the writer and Anthony as the strategist in this effective working relationship. (Frost 268) In her years later, she wrote a controversial critique of women’s treatment by religion, The Woman’s Bible.

During the Anti-Slavery Movement, she had valuable experience in public speaking and running poilitical organizations through her work in the abolishionist movement. (298 ) in the process women were generally discouraged from taking active part in public life and expected to join women only groups in support of male organizations (ibid) While Elizabeth Cady Stanton is best known for her long contribution to the woman suffrage struggle, without her struggles these issues wouldnt have been effective in winning property rights for married women, equal guardianship of children, and liberalized divorce laws.

These reforms made it possible for women to leave marriages that were abusive of the wife, the children, and the economic health of the family. Susan B Anthony, a real dedicator to gaining women’s rights, was introduced to abolitionism by Amelia Bloomer. (Weatherford 161) Her friendship ended up with a meeting with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, her lifelong partner in fighting for women’s rights. Susan B Anthony did travelling and spoke widely, and became more focused on women’s suffrage. She also helped to found the American Equal Rights Association and the National Woman Suffrage Association. ith Lucy Stone.

In 1872, in an attempt to claim that the constitution already permitted women to vote, Susan B. Anthony cast a test vote in Rochester, New York, in the presidential election. She was found guilty, though she refused to pay the fine. (162) She retired from active leadership and worked on a “History of Woman Suffrage”, in her writings sometimes mentioning abortion and others a bit racist. (ibid). With her anti-abortion writings she believed achievement of women’s equality and freedom would end the need for abortion.

With her racist mentions like, She sometimes argued that “educated omen would be better voters than “ignorant” black men or immigrant men. ” It was because of her anger to the 15th amendment using the word “male”. She portrayed she was serious about women deserving their true natural rights. The goals these women pursued to change, speaking in public, access to equal education, continuation of civil existence after marriage, legal custody of children, rights any human should naturally have, was not granted at the time, until fiftty two years later “not one state denied them all”. (Hannam 297)