WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE Things today are pretty equal between men and women, so people often take the equality for granted. However, it wasn't always like this. About 150 years ago, women fought for equal rights and liberties. This was known as the Women's Suffrage.
In the beginning, women's rights were limited. They could do little besides have a family and work in the home. They were not allowed to vote or own property. Women were denied the right to voice their opinion in the government, have a college education, and much more.
In 1848, a convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York to discuss the social, civil, and religious conditions of women. The first territory to grant women the right to vote was Wyoming. That right was finally secured when the congress agreed to it in 1920! Despite the fact that this was all about equality, some women did not support the suffragists.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (seated) with Susan B. Anth...
Parody cartoon "I did not raise my girl to be a vo...
Rose Sanderson Women's suffragists demonstrate in ...Some of these women were the wives of wealthy men. They preferred to continue their way of life. Others who didn't support women's suffrage were male immigrants and men who worked in liquor industries. They didn't think women should have the same liberties as men.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a suffrage leader. She was determined to have her opinions heard and to help women earn equality in America. When it came down to it, she didn't listen to others trying to warn her about the dangers of her opinions. She gave moving speeches in their original form, no matter what the danger might be.
Other women wanted suffrage, as well. Many would protest their conditions. Picketers would take their cries all the way to Washington DC. These women were often harassed and abused by opposing forces. Police provided no protection, they just watched the violence take...