HERO’S OF SUFFERAGE
YEARS IN PURSUIT 100 of VOTING RIGHTS First women’s suffrage petition is presented to UK Parliament
By Allie Clouse USA TODAY Network
Women in the United States won the right to vote in 1920, but the fight for that victory began long before the 19th Amendment was ratified. The fight for equality in the ballot box began generations earlier, thanks to the voices and efforts of thousands of women across the globe. As we celebrate the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, here’s a look at some of the most critical moments in the fight for suffrage across a century.
On Aug. 3, 1832, United Kingdom Parliament member Henry Hunt presents the first petition asking for votes for women on behalf of Mary Smith, “a lady of rank and fortune” from Stanmore, Yorkshire. Smith argues that she paid taxes and was subject to the rule of law, so she did not see why she could not vote. The petition tabled, but it is recognized as the beginning of the fight for women’s suffrage in Britain. “She could see no good reason for the exclusion of women from social rights, while the highest office of the State, that of the Crown, was open to the inheritance of females, and, as we understood, the petition expressed her indignation against those vile wretches who would not marry, and yet would exclude females from a share in legislation. The prayer of the petition was, that every unmarried female, possessing the necessary pecuniary qualification, should be entitled to vote for Members of Parliament,” according to Parliamentary minutes of Hunt’s petition.
1832
Seneca Falls Convention The first women’s rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, New York. There, 68 women and 32 men signed a “Declaration of Sentiments,” written by suffragist leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The document outlines grievances and set the agenda for the women’s
rights movement. The group adopts 12 resolutions calling for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women. “The document laid out many key objectives in addition to women’s suffrage, including educational and employment equality. It created a blueprint for the modern women’s movement that still influences the mission of activists even today,” says Dr. Kelly Marino, assistant lecturer of History and Coordinator of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut.
1848
The first National Women’s Rights Convention The first National Women’s Rights Convention is held in Worcester, Massachusetts. More than 1,000 participants attend, including Frederick Douglass, Paulina Wright Davis, Abby Kelley Foster, William Lloyd Garrison, Lucy Stone and Sojourner Truth. It was here that suffragists formed an alliance with the Abolitionist Movement. “Seneca Falls sparked discussion, but did not produce any organized activity. It was not clear in its aftermath whether or not there was a national constituency ready to take up the cause. The Worcester meeting answered this question. The response to its Call, which summoned all who wanted to see a woman’s rights movement, as well as the positive reaction to
1850
its published proceedings both at home and in Europe showed that a critical mass of women, and some men, were ready,” according to the Worcester Women’s History Project. The American Equal Rights Association is formed After the Civil War, the 11th National Women’s Rights Convention is called. The convention votes to transform itself into a new organization called the American Equal Rights Association that would advocate for universal suffrage no matter race or gender. They petition Congress to remove those discriminations from the law. “The object of this Association is to secure Equal Rights to all American citizens, especially the Right of Suffrage, irrespective of race, color or sex. American Democracy has interpreted the Declaration of Independence in the interest of slavery, restricting suffrage and citizenship to a white male minority. The black man is still denied the crowning right of citizenship, even in the nominally free States, though the fires of civil war have melted the chains of chattelism, and a hundred battle-fields attest his courage and patriotism. Half our population are disfranchised on the ground of sex; and though compelled to obey the law and taxed to support the government, they have no voice in the legislation of the country,” according to proceedings of the first anniversary of the American Equal Rights Association, 1867.
1866
43
