American Reformer

                                     

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an abolitionist in the women’s suffrage movement who was also an editor and a writer. She married  Henry Stanton on 1840 and together went to the World’s Anti- Slavery Convention in London. In 1848 with the help of Lucretia Mott they held the first Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, New York. She is the author of the “Declaration of Sentiments”, expressing her ideas on how to change the laws and society in order for women to have a higher role. She made petitions in order to for the congress to pass the the New York Married Women’s Property Act. In 1851 she met Susan B. Anthony and began to write articles, speeches and books. In 1876 with the help of Matilda Gage wrote the “Declaration of Rights” in which Susan B. Anthony delivered at the Philadelphia Centennial celebration. She was the president along with Susan B. Anthony of the National Women Suffrage Association. In 1880, she wrote three volumes of the “History of Women Suffrage” with the help of Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Gage. This book talked about the struggles and protests and different ways that the women suffrage movement was fought. She also wrote articles on women and religion, she published the “Woman’s Bible” which talked about her belief in religion and how it affected women’s rights. Another book she wrote was an autobiography titled, “Eighty Years and More” talking about the events and work of her life.

The reason as to why Elizabeth Cady Stanton, joined the women’s suffrage movement was when she met Lucretia Mott at the World’s Anti-Slavery Convention. In 1848, with the help of Lucretia Mott and her sister they organized the Seneca Falls Convention. In the convention she presented the “Declaration of Sentiments”, which was presented to over 300 people. She found inspiration from the Declaration of Independence, which she stated that both men and women were created equal. In order to reach people she wrote the “Revolution” a newspaper to reach people and help them become aware of the women’s suffrage movement.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton believed that the biggest issue facing society was that there was no equality even though it was stated. The government does not focus on the people but if the people fight just enough they will be able to change the course of events. She believed that human nature is good but that people need to become aware of their surroundings. Laws give people power and because women did not have any they were not taken seriously, like in the World’s Anti-Slavery Convention in which women were voted not to speak. Immediate change is needed because people need to be treated equally. The government should be their for the people and the people must be involved in order to make a change. A good society is composed of people who have the same opportunities and the same equality.