Origin of Women in Politics: Women's Suffrage
Abigail Adams
Prior to the addition of the 19th amendment to our Constitution, the idea of having a woman take an active role in our government was nothing but a joke. It is hard to believe that it was no more than a century ago that women finally gained the “natural born right” to vote that men obtained at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a long fight for women to attain the right to vote, but if you ask any female, it was well worth the wait.
Some may argue that the true spirit of women’s suffrage began with Abigail Adams, spouse of John Adams. While away from home during the Constitutional Congress, John received a letter from Abigail. According to an article on TheLizLibrary.com, Abigail’s letter was a plea for John to consider the rights of women. (TheLizLibrary.com, 2010) With the famous words-
“I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.”
Abigail was placed into the history books as one of the first women’s suffrage activists. However, husband (and soon to be president) John Adams shot down the idea of gender equality in the new country, stating "As to your extraordinary code of laws, Although the outcome was negative, it was still a huge stride for women’s rights.
Some may argue that the true spirit of women’s suffrage began with Abigail Adams, spouse of John Adams. While away from home during the Constitutional Congress, John received a letter from Abigail. According to an article on TheLizLibrary.com, Abigail’s letter was a plea for John to consider the rights of women. (TheLizLibrary.com, 2010) With the famous words-
“I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.”
Abigail was placed into the history books as one of the first women’s suffrage activists. However, husband (and soon to be president) John Adams shot down the idea of gender equality in the new country, stating "As to your extraordinary code of laws, Although the outcome was negative, it was still a huge stride for women’s rights.
The Long Fight Begins...
Governor Morrow of Kentucky signing the 19th
amendment (Scholastic.com, 1998)
The
next significant step towards women’s suffrage took place in 1848 at the Seneca
Falls Convention. Women’s suffrage activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, with the
help of other Quaker activists, arranged a two day meeting about the subject in
Seneca Falls, New York. Over the course of the meeting, two important issues
were raised. The first issue that was raised in convention was abolition.
According to a summary on National Portrait Gallery’s website, the focus of
abolition was important to women because if their advancement toward abolition
were successful, then the freed slaves would support women’s suffrage. (NPG,
2007)
At the end of the Civil War, the 15th amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution ensuring freedom for all slaves, along with equal voting rights for black males. Because the women's suffrage clause was not included to the amendment, women were still not allow to cast their ballots. By the turn of the century, many of the older suffrage activists, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony stepped down from the reigns of leadership. According to Scholastic.com, younger activists took control to the suffrage movement. However, the new leadership caused a split between peaceful and militant activism. (Scholastic.com, 1998) During this split, Carrie Chapman Catt was given presidency of the peaceful National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). On the militant side of the movement, a former NAWSA member, Alice Paul took action by forming the National Woman's Party. This party used dangerous tactics such as hunger strikes and mass marches to appeal to lawmakers. (Scholastic.com, 1998)
Finally, through the work of thousands of women, the 19th Amendment was signed into law on August 26th, 1920. Women were now granted the right to vote, in effect voicing their political opinions. However, there was still a long road ahead to ensure gender equality for men and women. To this day, there is no federal law that states men and women have equal rights under the Constitution. Although with the advancements of women in politics, soon may come the day that an equal rights amendment may be added to the Constitution, ensuring gender equality in our great country.
At the end of the Civil War, the 15th amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution ensuring freedom for all slaves, along with equal voting rights for black males. Because the women's suffrage clause was not included to the amendment, women were still not allow to cast their ballots. By the turn of the century, many of the older suffrage activists, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony stepped down from the reigns of leadership. According to Scholastic.com, younger activists took control to the suffrage movement. However, the new leadership caused a split between peaceful and militant activism. (Scholastic.com, 1998) During this split, Carrie Chapman Catt was given presidency of the peaceful National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). On the militant side of the movement, a former NAWSA member, Alice Paul took action by forming the National Woman's Party. This party used dangerous tactics such as hunger strikes and mass marches to appeal to lawmakers. (Scholastic.com, 1998)
Finally, through the work of thousands of women, the 19th Amendment was signed into law on August 26th, 1920. Women were now granted the right to vote, in effect voicing their political opinions. However, there was still a long road ahead to ensure gender equality for men and women. To this day, there is no federal law that states men and women have equal rights under the Constitution. Although with the advancements of women in politics, soon may come the day that an equal rights amendment may be added to the Constitution, ensuring gender equality in our great country.
