She was a women’s rights activist at a time when it was considered improper for a woman to even speak in public, a feminist a century before the word was coined, and one of the reasons why women got the vote. She didn’t live to see that day, so we settle for celebrating
NATIONAL SUSAN B. ANTHONY DAY!
Born to a family of activists, Susan B. Anthony was working against slavery at age 16, the beginning of a lifelong commitment to equal rights and social reform.
A meeting with Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1851 changed her life (and American history) as the two teamed up to battle for women’s suffrage. Although they wouldn’t get the vote until 1919, women became a powerful political force under the leadership of women like Anthony and Stanton.
In 1863 they organized the Women’s Loyal National League to campaign for an amendment to the Constitution outlawing slavery, collecting supporting signatures from 25% of the people in the Northeast United States and smoothing the way for the 13th Amendment. Together they published a newspaper in New York City called The Revolution, fighting for women’s property rights, labor rights and voting rights.
They also traveled abroad, meeting with European women’s movement leaders and promoting equality and suffrage, mobilizing millions to their cause. Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) spoke for half of humanity, that half denied their property rights, voting rights and civil rights in the Land of The Free, completing a part of the American Revolution overlooked by its male designers.
Women can choose their own destiny today, something that couldn’t be said before Susan B. Anthony got busy.
•Suggested Activities: Choosing.