Susan B. Anthony

The word feminist can be though of in many ways. Some people can hear the

word in a positive way, and think of it as a woman standing up for her gender’s rights. Other people can think of it in a negative way, as a woman who is too high strung and opinionated. The word feminist is actually a female who has opinions on the way her sex is treated. Modern feminism will be discussed, along with using some examples such as Susan B. Anthony.

As to the history of feminism, the beginning will be with what is called the “Feminist Revolution” (Rappaport 28). This revolution began in 1837 in New York. Women banded together for the first time at an anti-slavery convention. These women were considered “abolitionists” after being humiliated at a conference in Britain for being unladylike. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. This conference demanded woman suffrage, equality for wives, and the right to practice any profession they chose. Some feminists include Elizabeth Blackwell, Sojourner Truth, Emma Willard, Frances Wright, Mrs. Stanton, Ms. Mott, Mrs. Adams, and Susan B. Anthony.

A brief moment should be spent on a few of the notable women. It started with Emma Willard; she opened up the door for girls to get the same education as boys. She opened schools for females only. Following her is Elizabeth Blackwell. Ms. Blackwell pushed open the doors for women to be professionals. She became the first woman doctor to earn her MD in 1849 (Archer 47). Francis Wright was a Scottish-American reformer who advocated equal education for women. She once stated, “Unless women assume the place in society which good sense and good feeling alike assign to them, human improvement must advance feebly.” Her words gave influence to women to earn their first college education.

Other than Ms. Anthony there are three very notable women: Mrs. Elizabeth Cody Stanton, Mrs. Sojourner Truth, and Mrs. John Adams. The three ladies advanced the movement so far that, without them, women would not be anywhere near the liberty of today. Mrs. Stanton began the revolution of women; and also started the Women’s Rights Conventions. It was at one of these conventions in 1851 that a freed black female slave named Sojourner Truth spoke. It was probably the most famous speech ever remembered ...

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...ovement seems to have turned on women and away from men. There is more of a fight over moral issues and less about rights. Susan B. Anthony once said, “Failure is impossible.” Today’s suffrage efforts are continuing with her drive and now have a larger base of support. When today’s suffragists speak to the House or Senate, they at least can address women as well as men in these bodies. This is what Ms. Anthony wanted to accomplish.

Works Cited

Archer, Jules, Breaking Barriers New York: Penguin Group, 1991.

Barry, Kathleen, Susan B. Anthony New York: New York University Press, 1998.

Duby, George, A History of Women London, Belknap Press, 1993.

Hanmer, Trudy J. Taking a Stand Against Sexism and Sex Discrimination Sydney:

Franklin Watts, 1990.

Linthwaite, Illona, Ain’t I A Woman Auckland: Bedrick Books, 1993.

Michelson, Maureen, Women and Work Korea: New Sage Press, 1951.

Rappaport, Doreen, American Women: Their Lives In Their Words New York: Crowell

Junior Books, 1990.

Smith, Margaret Chase, Gallant Women Toronto: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1968.

Weisberg, Barbara, Susan B. Anthony/Woman Suffragist Philadelphia: Chelsea House

Publishers, 1988.