Moving Forward
How did Anthony get Inspired to Devote her Life to Women's Suffrage?
In the early 1850's, Susan B. Anthony was reading the New York Tribune when an article written by Horace Greeley and Lucy Stone caught her eye. Horace wrote a the speech given by Lucy at the National Women's Rights Convention in Worcester, MA. In the speech, Lucy's words inspired Anthony to devote her life to women's rights.
Who Helped and Supported Anthony?
Lucretia Mott
Lucretia Mott was a big believer and supporter in women's suffrage. She organized many meetings and conventions and helped people realize that women should have the right to vote.
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Alice Paul
Alice Paul led thousands of marchers in a parade in front of the White House. They later got arrested but continued to fight for women's rights.
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Carrie C. Catt
Carrie Chapman Catt was partners with Lucretia Mott. The two founded NAWSA, "winning plan," and Voters.
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Seneca Falls Convention Center
Anthony's newspaper, "The Revolution."
Stanton and Mott organized the first Women's Rights Convention Center in Seneca Falls, NY. In 1868, Stanton and Anthony started publishing a newspaper called "The Revolution." The paper campaigned for woman's suffrage. The newspaper's motto was "Men their rights and nothing more, women their rights and nothing less."
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Stanton and Mott placed an ad in the paper saying,
"A Convention to discuss
the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women will be held on the 19th and 20th of July." |
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To everyone's surprise, nearly 300 people attended the convention. This event was Stanton's first step in a lifetime devoted to women's rights. Everyone agreed with most issues discussed at the convention, but when Stanton brought up the idea for women to vote, Mott cried, "Why, Lizzie, you will make us look ridiculous!" Most men thought the idea of women's voting rights was crazy.
Even though they gained supporters, there were many people who were against women voting. These people were known as anti-suffragists. Anti-suffragists feared change. They thought families would be destroyed if women got the vote. In the South, white men feared losing power if African-American women got the vote.
Even though they gained supporters, there were many people who were against women voting. These people were known as anti-suffragists. Anti-suffragists feared change. They thought families would be destroyed if women got the vote. In the South, white men feared losing power if African-American women got the vote.
The New Century Brings Changes for Women
Women...
- Attended colleges more often to receive a good education.
- Got to keep wages like men did.
- Owned land and property and worked in the fields with the men.
- Worked outside of the house.
Anthony continued to fight for for women's rights until her death at age 86 on March 13th, 1906 from pneumonia. Her last words in public were "Failure is impossible."
