“In Rochester, N.Y., women covered the gravestone of Susan B. Anthony with “I voted” stickers. Many wore white in honor of Anthony, who fought for women’s suffrage, an effort that culminated with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. Women have been on the national ballot before, but never as the presidential nominee for one of the two major parties.” 1
Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820 to Daniel and Lucy Read Anthony.2 She was one of seven children. Originally from Adams, Massachusetts, her family moved to Battenville, New York where her parents encouraged all of their children to value self-reliance and principled convictions. She and her family were members of the Quaker religion, which allowed the family to live modestly and practiced non-violence and respect for all people, regardless of race or background.3 Growing up, her sisters and mother would stay at home and do domestic work, while her dad ran a mill. Once her father had enough savings from managing the mill, he sent Susan and one of her sisters to be educated at a boarding school in Pennsylvania, run by the Friends of the Quakers. She graduated at the age of fifteen, and got a job for a modest salary as a teacher. Once she found out that she was making 20% less than men at the school, she went to the school’s administrators and protested that they should be receiving equal pay. Her protests led to her dismissal from the school, and she returned home.4
Susan and her family were both heavily involved in the abolition, temperance, and women’s rights movements. Her parents attended the Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls in 1848 and signed the Declaration of Women’s Rights.5 One significant event that paved the way for her passion for women’s rights occurred in 1852, while she attended a meeting. As she rose to speak on a certain topic, she was ignored by all of the men in the room; angered and insulted she stormed out and soon founded the Women’s State Temperance Society. This was the incident that convinced her to fight for the right for women to vote. She felt as if it was the cornerstone of women’s fight for respect and equality.6 She attended her first Women’s Rights convention in 1852 and from then until the end of the American Civil War, she campaigned from door to door, in legislatures, and in meetings for the abolition of slavery and the promotion of women’s rights. Her persistency and hard work led to married women in New York to own their own property, keep their own wages, and have custody of their children in case of a separation or divorce. She was paving the way for the future as we know it.
In 1889, the National Woman’s Suffrage Association merged with the American Woman Suffrage Association to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association. In 1890, Wyoming became the first state to allow women the right to vote. Susan is the reason today why women can vote and without all of her hard work, women may not have that right. She did not live to see the Nineteenth Amendment but she made a great deal of influence on legislation. Before she died on March 13, 1906, she was able to see all of her hard work in action by four states giving women the right to vote. In her last public speech she gave, she ended with, “Failure is impossible.”7
- Joel Achenbach, “Women cover Susan B. Anthony’s grave with ‘I voted’ stickers as ‘Pantsuit Nation’ goes to the polls,” The Washington Post, November 8, 2016. ↵
- Reconstruction Era Reference Library, 2005, s.v. “Anthony, Susan B.” ↵
- Reconstruction Era Reference Library, 2005, s.v. “Anthony, Susan B.” ↵
- Reconstruction Era Reference Library, 2005, s.v. “Anthony, Susan B.” ↵
- Reconstruction Era Reference Library, 2005, s.v. “Anthony, Susan B.” ↵
- UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History, 2009, s.v. “Anthony, Susan B.,” by Benson Sonia, et al. ↵
- UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History, 2009, s.v. “Anthony, Susan B.,” by Benson Sonia, et al. ↵
65 comments
Christine Sackey
As a woman who just voted in this past election, I really connected with this story. It is incredible that she out of her hurt and anger she changed history forever. I think that pain that she felt was really Everyone can learn from her story that if you want something to change you have to change it yourself. I think that she would be proud today to see how far her work has come, but I still believe that there is more to do concerning gender equality. Overall, this was a very encouraging article.
Evelin Joseph
I have long been an avid fan of Susan B. Anthony as she is such a great inspiration to women everywhere. Reading this article has only strengthened my respect for her and everything she has done. It was great to read about her beginnings and her fight, even as she was a teacher wanting equal pay rates as her male counterparts. Her hard work and dedication are reflected in this article through the inclusion of her actions, such as campaigning and forming of associations, which fought for what she believed in. She truly makes me believe that failure cannot be a part of my life.
Mariet Loredo
I enjoyed reading this article about Susan B. Anthony. During high school I learned about her and how she had a great impact on Women’s Rights. Susan B. Anthony fought specifically for the voting rights for women and she succeeded. It’s very sad knowing she passed away before the 19th amendment was passed, which granted women the right to vote.
Amanda Figueroa
The article was very informative and explained perfectly how Susan B. Anthony impacted women’s rights. It is women like her that empower other women to stand up for themselves as well. She is a very important figure in history and without her, women could have not represented themselves. I liked how you introduced her and her family’s background in the beginning. This was all very well thought out.
Kelley Salinas
Susan B. Anthony has been an impeccable influence for women not only across America, but across the globe as well. Her strive for equality and success while refusing to back down from a movement has a standard for females in our nation. No matter what, women deserve equal treatment in all places and situations and we can thank Susan B. Anthony for bringing that to our attention.
Ernie Sano
America is built on a foundation that upholds equality and individual natural born rights for all. Susan B. Anthony recognized this concept and made the decision to implement it in a society that she perceived as not living up to this expectation. Her bravery and ability to step forth will be regarded as one of the many reasons why America today has made an immense amount of progress.
Yahaira Martinez
i had heard about Susan B. Anthony before in previous history classes thought high school and know that she’s an icon when it comes to the woman’s rights movement. However it is the small details about her that always tend to surprise me, like how she was a teacher and how that is how it all began, because there wasn’t equal pay. She fought for a lot of subjects for the equality of women to rise and like the article says, without her fight we probably wouldn’t be at this point. Very good, empowering article.
Josselyn Arrieta-Meraz
Susan B. Anthony is a real hero to this country, if it wasn’t for her many of us women wouldn’t be standing where we are today in terms of rights and feminist beliefs. The fact that she saw a problem and didn’t doubt to do something about it the moment she found out men were given special privilege because of their gender, she believed that there was a change that had to be made. I am sure the journey was not an easy one and that she fought with all she had, along many other women at these marches and public appearances, they were not accepted at first but she and other women allowed for their voice to be heard, a simple step that brought women far in the long run. The right to vote now in day is possible to women because of her actions and dedication towards equality in this nation.
Briana Bustamante
I enjoyed reading your article for the second time around. I still find it interesting that Susan B. Anthony’s family was the same way, strong and determined. I can see why your article was nominated for Best in “gender history”. I respect her for standing up for something she believes in. Til’ this day, Susan B. Anthony is still an influential figure. Over all very informative article.
Briana Bustamante
Very informative article Lianna! I knew that Susan B. Anthony was a strong and determined woman, but I found it interesting that her family was the same way. I want to become a teacher, so I feel that Women’s Rights are very important and I respect Susan B. Anthony so much for standing up for what she believes in. Unfortunately, Susan is not around today to witness how heroic her actions and beliefs were, but she still continues to impact Women and feminist around the world.