Elizabeth Cady Stanton and The Women's Rights Movement

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Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leading figure in the women’s right movement of the 19th century, and was an advocate for rights that women nowadays take for granted. She was a social activist, and played an important role in the rights that women have today. Elizabeth Cady Stanton is one of the most influential people in history because not only did her acts affect women of her time, but they continue to play an important role in the lives of women today, and will continue to impact women’s rights in future generations. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born November 12, 1815, and was the eighth child in a family of eleven children. Five of the eleven children were boys, and four of the boys died as babies. Living in the 19th century, the family’s future was focalized upon the male successors, so when Stanton’s only living brother, Eleazar, passed away after just graduating from college, her father was devastated. Stanton said “At length, he heaved a deep sigh and said: "Oh, my daughter, I wish you were a boy!" Throwing my arms about his neck, I replied: "I will try to be all my brother was." This was a formative childhood event that led to Stanton’s fight for women’s rights, and against society's discriminatory approach to women, as this memory demonstrates preference of men over women. Despite Stanton’s desire to attend college, women were prevented from attending college during this time period, so she went to an all-girls school, where she was an outstanding scholar. In May of 1840, Stanton married Henry Stanton, an abolitionist and social activist. Henry was industrious in the American Anti-Slavery Society, and supported women’s abolitionist groups. This is what made Henry and Elizabeth a wonderful pair. At their marriage ceremony,... ... middle of paper ... ...on.org. n.p., n.d. Web. 4 April 2014. http://www.elizabethcadystanton.org/. "Women's Rights." Henry Stanton - Women's Rights National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service). n.p., n.d. Web. 4 April 2014. http://www.nps.gov/wori/historyculture/henry-stanton.htm. "AAP Biography: Stanton, H.B.." AAP Biography: Stanton, H.B. n.p., n.d. Web. 4 April 2014. http://americanabolitionist.liberalarts.iupui.edu/stantonhb.htm. "Women's Rights." Elizabeth Cady Stanton - Women's Rights National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).n.p., n.d. Web. 4 April 2014. http://www.nps.gov/wori/historyculture/elizabeth-cady-stanton.htm. Colman, Penny. "Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony." Henry Holt and Company, LLC, (2011): n. pag. Print. 5 April 2014. Burgan, Michael. "Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Social Reformer." Compass Point Books, (2006): 91-92. Print. 5 April 2014.

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