A woman securing the right to vote is undoubtedly one of the greatest things that have ever happened in the fight for equality. While we have come a long in the present day, there’s still much to be done.
Every year Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on 26th August across the United States. One of the key figures of the women’s suffrage movement was Susan B. Anthony, who played a crucial role in securing voting rights for women.
Her contributions to the movement initiated the government to pass the 19th Amendment. Even though she was born in the 1820s, her impact is felt even in today’s society. For those who haven’t seen what this iconic woman looks like, you can search for her image on the internet.
Susan B. Anthony fought tirelessly and travelled to different countries, giving speeches to secure equal rights for women. Despite facing ridicule from the public, she remained determined and continued with her mission.
Early Life
Susan B Anthony was born on 15th February 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts, to Lucy and Daniel Anthony. Being the second oldest child in the family, she grew up with six siblings and was named after her aunt and grandmother.
She was raised in a family who were deeply involved in social reform. Her brothers Merritt and Daniel supported the anti-slavery movement, and her sister Mary was a women’s rights activist. On the other hand, her father was a temperance advocate and abolitionist. He always encouraged his children, including Susan, to become self-sufficient and also taught them business principles.
When Susan turned six, her family relocated to Battenville, New York, where her father worked in a cotton mill. Later, she attended a Quaker boarding school in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, she had to quit as her family was going through financial difficulties during the Panic of 1837. To help her family, Susan secured a job as a teacher at a Quaker school.
Fast forward to 1845, Susan along with her family moved to Rochester, New York, where they connected with social reformers like Frederick Douglass. They turned their home into a gathering place for activists.
In 1848, Susan’s family attended the first women’s rights conventions in Rochester and Seneca Falls. However, Susan was not a part of it as she was working as headmistress in Canajoharie. During this time, she started moving away from Quaker traditions and became interested in social reform, mainly for equal pay for equal work.
After the shutdown of Canajoharie in 1849, Anthony took over the family farm. During this time, she got drawn into full-time reform work. With her family’s support, she dedicated the rest of her life to social reform and for Women’s Rights and equality.
Susan B. Anthony As A Pioneer For Women’s Rights And Equality
Susan B. Anthony started her activism in the 1840s when she joined the temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol use. However, she realised that women were often left out of leadership roles in these movements, even though they were affected by the issues. This made her question why women were always kept in the background in public life.
In 1851, Susan met Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was a key figure in the women’s rights movement. They both joined forces to establish the American Equal Rights Association in 1866. They fought together for Women’s Equality and rights which marked the beginning of Susan’s dedication to gender equality.
Susan was deeply bothered by the unfair treatment received by women during her time. She realised how they had very few legal rights and were not even allowed to receive higher education. Plus, they were mostly kept out of politics.
According to Susan, the lack of women’s right to vote was the root of these problems. She was convinced that women needed the right to vote, otherwise, the fight for equality would not stop. This is what led her to initiate the movement as she strived to achieve equality both in society and politics.
Susan B. Anthony’s Contributions To Women’s Right To Vote
Susan B. Anthony’s biggest contribution to the women’s rights movement was her fight for women’s right to vote. In 1869, she co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Their goal was to change the Constitution to allow women to vote.
Susan travelled all over the United States, giving speeches, organizing events, and convincing lawmakers to support women’s voting rights.
In 1872, she voted illegally in a presidential election in Rochester, New York. Even though she was arrested and fined, she refused to pay it. Her trial got a lot of attention and showed how unfair it was to deny women the right to vote.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed, which finally gave women the right to vote. Although her hard work paid off, she was no longer alive to witness it.
Besides fighting for women’s right to vote, Susan supported other social reforms, like ending slavery, workers’ rights, and education for women. She believed that women’s equality was connected to other struggles for social justice, and worked with other reformers to achieve her goals.
Impact Of Susan B. Anthony’s Work In Present Day
Susan B. Anthony is not alive anymore, but her contributions to women’s rights and equality live on. Her work continues to influence the lives of millions of people, particularly women in today’s time.
It was her hard work that helped women gain the right to vote. No doubt, it was a huge step toward gender equality in the United States. The 19th Amendment, also known as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment,” is the symbol of her legacy. This amendment allows millions of women to vote and take part in politics without discrimination.
Final Words
In today’s world, where women’s rights and equality are still an ongoing topic of discussion, Susan B. Anthony’s contributions remain a key reference point. With her dedication and strong commitment, she achieved something that others couldn’t. She fought for equality throughout her life, convincing the government to give voting rights to women.
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