A Look Into America’s Women’s Rights Movement

History

A Look Into America’s Women’s Rights Movement

Seneca Falls, New York July 19, 1848, about one hundred are gathered for the first gathering devoted simply for women’s rights. Among those in attendance were well known presently for their efforts in the women’s suffrage movement, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The inaugural meeting devoted to women’s rights held mostly women in its attendance along with a few men. It was at this meeting that Elizabeth Cady Stanton composed a “’Declaration of Sentiments, Grievances, and Resolutions,” that echoed the preamble of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.’” ("The women’s rights," 2007). All these women wanted were the natural rights that were given to their male counterparts, the same rights under the 19th amendment that women today now retain.

Women seeking to obtain equal rights in the 1850s would have to wait a number of years before they would see (if they would at all) the right to vote. It was not until 1920 that women would witness the 19th amendment in America’s Constitution become legitimized. The 19th amendment reads as follow: “The right of citizens of the Untied States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by an State on account of sex. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” ("19th amendment to," 2014). The road to this victory was a long and enduring journey. There were many petitions, demonstrations, strikes, and riots to upheave before the women of the United States of America would see any movement in congress.

Prior to the Seneca Falls women’s rights convention women were able, under limited circumstances to be property owners. Other than in restrained situations women carried no other rights that men counter partners held. The issue of women “owning” property and wages was brought through legislation in 1769. Women would not be officially allowed to own property until 1848, the same year as the inaugural women’s rights meeting with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott as the leaders. This still does not mean that every state will adapt this legislation. Women’s rights to own property will make it into effect in every state by 1900 (“Women’s Rights Movement,” 2014). Looking back during this time in history most will see that the African Americans were in the same predicament as women of America.