Women have never had equal rights throughout the country’s history. Women didn’t have the right of vote until very recently. Women had to fight for equal education rights and property ownership. Women formed groups to protest the government from 1848 to 1920. Susan B. Anthony is one such woman. She initially focused on the abolishment of slavery and temperance. But she began to see the difficulties women face in everyday life. Susan B. Anthony grew up in a politically active and socially engaged family. She received a lot from her friends and was encouraged to put more effort into women’s suffrage.
Susan B. Anthony was raised within a Quaker household with eight children. She was the fifth of five children. Susan B. Anthony ranked second in her age group. Daniel Reed, her dad, owned a cotton-farm. Daniel tried to avoid buying cotton from slavery owners because his family was abolitionists. Judge John McLean agreed to allow him to open a shop, but Daniel made last-minute changes. McLean felt that the store wouldn’t get customers and decided to make it temperance. Daniel Anthony opposed alcohol, believing it was important for the women’s movement. It would stop many women being abused and manipulated by drunken husbands. Daniel refused to compromise his values in order to make more money. Maybe this is why he wasn’t the most successful businessman. He was a strong advocate for the values he held dear. Daniel became so furious that Susan B. Anthony and Guelma’s teacher refused them long division instruction because they were female, he established a homeschool at his home, leaving behind some of their homes. The family fell into financial ruin after a severe economic downturn. This forced them to sell all their belongings. Daniel Anthony’s brother in law, Uncle Reed bought some of the family’s most valuable possessions and bought them a house in Hardscrabble, New York, now known as Center Falls, NY.Susan B. Anthony was influenced a lot by her abolitionist/temperance family. She joined the American Anti-Slavery Society. She spent a lot time organizing meetings and giving speeches. She supported the 13th Amendment and petitioned for it. Slavery was abolished by the 13th amendment.
Susan B. Anthony was raised in Quaker homes and believed that alcohol was sinful. She became a member of the Daughters of Temperance. Daughters of Temperance was an organization of women who raised awareness about the effects of alcohol and drinking. She gave her first speech publically in 1848 at a Daughters of Temperance meal. In 1849, her election as president of the Rochester Branch was successful. She traveled all over trying to raise funds. One time she was refused a speaking opportunity at a Sons of Temperance event. One Sister told her that Sisters were present to “listen and be taught.” Anthony later, along with a friend, began a petition to limit sales of alcohol in the state. Over 28,000 people signed the petition. The State Legislature denied the petition because the majority of signatures were signed either by children or women. Anthony felt that women must have the right vote for Congress and Politicians.
Susan B. Anthony had many people to support her cause. Her parents encouraged her to persevere, even if others didn’t like her idea or tried to stop her. Angrily mobs met her on the streets and threatened her with violence. Rotten eggs were even thrown at her. People would drag a dummy that looked like her down the street to burn it. She fought for the cause she believed in, despite all of this. She became interested in activism when she was a teenager. She started collecting anti-slavery letters at the age of 17. She attended many anti-slavery meetings and conventions. It was actually at an anti-slavery conference that Anthony met Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Elizabeth would eventually become one Anthony’s closest friends and co-workers. Stanton was the person who instilled Anthony’s passion for women’s rights. Stanton was a key organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention which was the first convention to promote women’s rights. Stanton was married with seven children. She had a difficult time balancing her personal life with giving speeches. Anthony was not married. Her nickname was “old maid” which was what people used to call a woman who wanted a single life and no family. Anthony understood that traditional marriages don’t allow for any control. According to her, the husband has all the control. You must give your husband the money even if you can earn it. This was Anthony’s idea of slavery.
“I never thought I could give my freedom for the sake of being a housekeeper for men. In my youth, if a girl marries poverty, she becomes a drudge. If she marries wealth, she becomes a doll. I would have been either poor or a doll if I had married when I was twenty-one.
Anthony had her share of rivals, however she was supported by many family members and friends. Anthony’s mom, Lucy Anthony, was described as a quiet but supportive mother. Anthony worried about her mother’s overwork so she and her sisters always helped with the washing, baking, and cooking. Anthony described her as a caring, loving mother. Lucy was also very communicative, she stated. Eight children were born to her. One of her daughters was stillborn while another died from scarlett fever at age 2. Lucy was a strong supporter of Daniel’s socialism work. While she supported her son Anthony’s work, it was rare for a mother of her child to agree with her daughter’s choice not to marry. Lucy was a strong supporter. Although she didn’t give speeches or provide ideas, Lucy was a strong supporter of Anthony when he was in trouble.
After the Civil War came the idea of equal rights for people of different skin tones. Anthony was stunned when a new amendment to the constitution was presented to Congress. The amendment would have granted the right of suffrage every American Citizen. Problem was, they had previously defined “citizens” as men. The constitution was intentionally excluded from women for the first times. Anthony was upset by this because it had been a terrible idea and a good idea. The amendment would allow citizens to vote regardless of their skin tone and race, but not women. Some abolitionists suggested that it was the “Negro’s Hour” because women wanted to be able to vote for themselves. Elizabeth Cady Stanton declared that the entire African race was not made entirely up of men. Stanton, Anthony and others voted against the amendment until it was changed to allow both men and women to vote.
Susan B. Anthony was never a quitter in her protests. She even voted once. Anthony stormed in to a Rochester barbershop where she was able to vote. The voter officials were shocked when Anthony and 15 other women asked to register and all of them voted. She was then arrested by police a few days later. She was accused of illegal voting. Only Susan B. Anthony, the leader of the 16 women was brought to trial. Ward Hunt was a well-known judge for his opposition to women’s suffrage rights. Anthony and her lawyer were surprised when he refused to allow Anthony to testify to her defense. The judge pulled out a prepared testimony that he had kept since the beginning. He stated that the 14th Amendment does not give women the right to vote and that Miss Anthony’s vote was against the law. He protested, stating, “The 14th Amendment, gives no right to a woman to vote, and the voting of Miss Anthony was in violation of the law.” The judge didn’t hear him. He demanded that the court clerk record a verdict in guilty. The court was in chaos. Although not all the people present supported women’s rights they were all unanimous in their support for Anthony. Anthony was set to be sentenced the next day when the judge asked an unusual question.
“Judge Hunt – (Ordering the defendant up), “Has any prisoner to explain why the sentence should not be pronounced?”
Miss Anthony — I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address you. You have broken every essential principle of our government by your orderly verdict of guilty. My natural rights, civil rights, and judicial rights all go unrecognized. I am stripped from my citizenship rights and reduced to a subject. All of my sex is, according to your honor’s verdict.
Judge Hunt stated that the sentence was to pay $100 and all costs associated with prosecution.
Anthony replied, “May your honor be pleased.” I will never pay you a dollar for this unjust penalty. I will keep insisting on women to resist tyranny.
She could have been arrested until she paid her fine. But, he knew that she would move to a higher Court where she might be given a fair hearing. Anthony might win at a fair hearing. The case was quickly closed by the Judge. Although she lost, it was a victory for the movement. People began to appreciate her for her bravery in challenging the judge, even though they had previously seen her as an old maid. Some men began to admire her. It was a victory, but not the one Anthony was hoping for.
She was initially attacked by angry mobs, heckled, gangs even going to her speeches and throwing rotten eggs at the her. It was strange that women spoke out about women’s issues. She received increasing support following her famous trial. Young women began following her example. Some called her Aunt Susan. They also distributed petitions.
Anthony, who was 80 years old, sent Elizabeth a short letter summarizing their accomplishments together.
“The sole purpose of all my life was to establish perfect equality of women’s rights – civil, social, political, economic and educational. Nearly all colleges and universities offer equal opportunities – equal work opportunities, but not equal pay. There is school suffrage for half of the states and taxpayers’ suffrage for half. In Kansas, there is municipal suffrage. Idaho has full suffrage. Wyoming, Colorado and Utah have full suffrage. Hope and work in faith until the end.
Despite years of joint efforts, the two of them failed to secure full suffrage. Anthony spoke out about this in her final speech to the public. She stated that they must continue fighting for equality.
“I’m here for a short time, then I will be moved…The fight must never cease.” It does not end. It is impossible to fail.”
She fell ill the next month and was forced to remain in bed for the remainder of her life. One friend said to her that she had been working for justice for 60 years and was now dying without ever getting it. It seems so cruel. She died two days later from pneumonia. It would be over 14 years before Congress passed a law granting every American citizen the right to vote, regardless of race or gender.
Susan B. Anthony spent much of her time fighting for women’s rights. When people were not in her camp, she ignored them. These people were willing to fight against her. She fought for her beliefs and values despite all of that. Without her support and friendships, her family and her belief in the importance of women’s rights, she wouldn’t have been able continue fighting.
