Susan Brownell Anthony Essay Example

that aimed to address the mistreatment of women and children caused by their alcoholic partners. The Seneca Falls Convention, which took place in July 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York, marked the beginning of the inaugural women's rights convention.

The declaration by Elizabeth Cady Stanton is inspired by the Declaration of Independence. It declares that "all men and women are created equal" and acknowledges the historical mistreatment and domination of women by men (Harper, 1993, vol. 1). Additionally, it lists several grievances and proposes solutions to establish fair laws, equal opportunities in education and employment, as well as the right for women to vote.

In 1849, Susan B. Anthony gave her first public speech for the "Daughters of Temperance" and played a key role in founding the Woman's State Temperance Society of New York, one of the earliest groups devoted to this cause. In 1851, she journeyed to Syracuse to join a series of anti-slavery meetings. It was during this time that Susan had the chance to personally meet Elizabeth Stanton, resulting in an instant and deep friendship between them. Alongside Amelia Bloomer, they collaborated on multiple efforts promoting women's rights.

From 1854 to 1861, Susan B. Anthony was actively involved in the anti-slavery movement as an agent for the American Anti-slavery Society. After that, she partnered with Stanton to publish "The Revolution," a New York liberal weekly, between 1868 and 1870. This publication advocated for equal pay for women (Harper, 1993, vols. 1 ; 2). In 1872, Susan called for women to be granted the same civil and political rights that black men had received through the implementation of the 14th and 15th amendments.

Susan led a group

of women to the polls in Rochester, testing women's right to vote. She was arrested two weeks later and went on highly publicized lecture tours while awaiting trial. In March 1873, she attempted to vote again in city elections. Susan was eventually convicted for violating voting laws but refused to pay the $100 fine. From then on, she tirelessly campaigned for a federal woman suffrage amendment through NAWSA (1869-90) and the National American Woman Suffrage Association (1890-1906). Additionally, she traveled across the country giving lectures (Barry, 1988).

Continued Struggle for Women's Suffrage After Anthony

Despite Susan B. Anthony's significant efforts, the fight for women's suffrage continued. While progress was observed in certain states like Wyoming Territory in 1869, Utah Territory in 1870, Colorado in 1893, and Idaho in 1896, the Eastern states remained resistant to granting women the right to vote. Attempts to introduce a woman-suffrage amendment to the Federal Constitution had been made in every Congress since 1878; however, it consistently faced rejection. Nevertheless, more than a generation later during World War I when the United States joined the conflict in April 1917, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) expressed its support.

During the suffrage movement, women participated in various activities such as volunteering in hospitals, working in government offices, and folding bandages at local headquarters. The leaders of the suffrage movement hoped that American women's patriotic efforts during the war would lead to granting them the right to vote. However, there was disagreement among feminist leaders regarding NAWSA's support for the war, causing a division within the organization.

Alice Paul became a prominent figure and led the Congressional Union for Women's Suffrage, which later became

known as the National Woman's Party. This group strongly advocated for women's suffrage during wartime.

Crystal Eastman headed the New York branch of the Woman's Peace Party but refused to endorse a war aimed at establishing a secure democratic world when American women themselves did not have democratic rights.

Jane Addams headed the national Woman's Peace party, which backed a peace settlement without openly opposing the war (Meyer, 1987). In June 1919, Congress approved the women's suffrage bill, resulting in the adoption of the 19th Amendment on August 26, 1920. This monumental event granted around twenty-five million women the right to vote (Meyer, 1987). Following this victory, members of NAWSA shifted their support to the League of Women Voters—a nonpartisan organization focused on educating women about politics. Simultaneously, the National Woman's party aimed to secure a constitutional amendment ensuring complete equality for women. Additionally, the Woman's Peace party became associated with another pacifist group called the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Both Great Britain and the United States had two groups of women fighting for suffrage: the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (moderate) and the Women's Social and Political Union (militant), led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia. In 1918, the British Parliament passed a bill granting suffrage to women over 30, which was later lowered to 21. Meanwhile, New Zealand granted full suffrage in 1893, followed by Australia in 1902. Finland achieved full suffrage for women in 1906, and Norway in 1913. By the start of World War II, most countries allowed women to vote. Japanese women gained the right to vote in 1945.

In 1945, women in France gained the right

to vote for the first time, while women in Italy achieved their voting rights in 1946 (Meyer, 1987).

Susan B. Anthony, Stanton, and Matilda Joslyn Gage authored "The History of Woman Suffrage" which was published in four volumes between 1881 and 1902.

Additionally, Anthony founded the International Council of Women in 1888 and later established the International Woman Suffrage Alliance in 1904 (Harper, 1993, vol.).

3). Susan B. Anthony's dedication to the women's suffrage movement greatly contributed to the establishment of the 19th amendment, despite her not living long enough to witness women winning the right to vote. She died in 1906 from natural causes, but her dreams lived on. Throughout her life, Anthony always acknowledged Stanton as the trailblazer of women's rights.

Aunt Susan's accomplishment was her ability to inspire and persevere, bringing together a large number of both men and women who shared the goal of achieving suffrage. Thanks to her passion for women's rights and determination, women today undoubtedly have more rights and privileges compared to those of the past century. A hundred years ago, women lacked a voice or influence in governance and were subject to unjust laws without any means to address them or propose solutions. They were also prohibited from expressing themselves publicly and denied admission as students in colleges or universities across the nation.

Women faced numerous employment restrictions and were typically excluded from profitable jobs. In the few fields where women were allowed to work, they received only one-fourth of the pay that men received for the same work. Women were also barred from professions such as doctors, lawyers, or ministers, except within the Society of Friends. If a married woman

did manage to earn wages, she was required to give them to her husband by her employer. The husband had complete authority over his wife and even had the legal right to discipline or punish her. Divorce laws heavily favored men and disregarded women's happiness; custody of children always went to the father regardless of his misconduct. A father could apprentice his children without needing permission from their mother and could appoint a guardian for them after his death, effectively depriving the mother of any control.

Women have faced a long-standing effort to undermine their belief in their abilities and diminish their self-worth, ultimately encouraging them to lead a reliant and submissive existence. Throughout history, men have assumed the position of divine authority, asserting their entitlement to dictate women's actions and define their societal roles. Susan B. Anthony dedicated over fifty years championing the cause of women's rights; however, my research indicates that many individuals disrespectfully ridiculed her efforts.

Despite facing insults, she persevered in her journey across counties in New York and other states, delivering speeches and establishing women's rights clubs. She tirelessly advocated for her cause, approaching every president from Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt. In recognition of her impactful work, the U.S. Mint released the famous Susan B. Anthony dollar coin on July 2, 1979 (Barry, 1988).

Bibliography

1. Anthony, Katherine S. Susan B. Anthony: Her Personal History and Era. Re-Printed in 1975. Barry, K., Susan B. Anthony. Printed in 1988. Harper, I. H.
2. The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, 3
   

vols. 1898-1908; reprinted in 1993.

Anthony. Reprinted in 1976. Meyer, Donald., Sex and Power: The Rise of Women All Over the World. Printed in 1987.