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Home , Ella Grasso, Frances Willard, Lucretia Mott, Lucy Stone

Women's Rights National Historical Park U.S. Department of the Interior Women's Rights New York ______

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I was born and lived almost forty years in South Bristol, and more: she could not make contracts, sue in court, divorce her husband, based on the Declaration of Independence, demanding equality in prop­ Ontario County—one of the most secluded spots in Western gain custody of her children, or own property, even the clothes she wore. erty rights, education, employment, religion, and family, and Though middle-class wives reigned over the domestic sphere, legally their . The demand for the vote was so radical that even Mott protested, New York, butfrom the earliest dawn of reason I pinedfor husbands controlled them. Individual women publicly expressed their but Stanton had her way. On July 19 the Declaration of Sentiments was that freedom of thought and action that was then denied to desire for equality, but it was not until 1848 that a handful of reformers presented to an audience of about 300. "We hold these truths to be self- all womankind.... But not until that meeting at Seneca in Seneca Falls, New York, called "A Convention to discuss the social, civil, evident: that all men and women are created equal," announced Stanton "The First Wave" sculp­ Falls in 1848, of the pioneers in the cause, gave thisfeeling and religious condition and rights of Woman." at the First Women's Rights Convention. ture group by Lloyd of unrestform and voice, did I take action. ” Lillie. Facing row, left to —Emily Collins Why Seneca Falls? A significant reform community emerged in western The women expected controversy. True ladies, a newspaper right: Elizabeth Cady New York in the 1830s and 1840s. Among these reformers were aboli­ wrote after the convention, would be foolish to sacrifice their status as Stanton, Frederick Doug­ For Emily Collins, who went on to start a local equal rights organization, tionists who joined relatives and started businesses in Seneca Falls and "Wives, Belles, Virgins and Mothers" for equal rights. Many signers of the lass, two unidentified and for Other women of 1840s America, the news of a women's rights Waterloo. Here and elsewhere, Quaker women like took an declaration removed their names. But 12 days later a second convention women, Martha Coffin convention was a vivid reminder of their inferior status. By law or by active role in the effort to end slavery. For Mott, her sister Martha Wright, was held in Rochester. By 1900 armies of women marched for suffrage. Wright. In profile at right: Thomas and Mary custom an unmarried woman generally did not vote, speak in public, hold , Mary Ann M'Clintock, and 32-year-old , Today many of the convention's most radical demands are taken for granted. Ann M'Clintock, uniden­ office, attend college, or earn a living other than as a teacher, seamstress, the next logical step was to demand rights for women. In July 1848 they The Declaration of Sentiments was the start; its words reach far beyond tified woman. domestic, or mill worker. A married woman lived under these restrictions planned the convention and hammered out a formal list of grievances that warm July day in Seneca Falls. © JEFF GNASS

Planning Your Visit

The setting for the First The Hunt House was Stanton defied many of ists, temperance workers, Women's Rights Con­ the home of Jane and the day's housekeeping and reformers to fill the vention and the homes Richard Hunt, and child-rearing cus­ chapel. of some participants are active in the Waterloo toms. For many years preserved at Women's reform community. she dressed in an outfit On the first day they Rights National Histori­ Stanton, Mott, Wright, popularized by Amelia debated the wording of cal Park, established by M'Clintock, and Jane Bloomer, loose pants the Declaration of Sen­ Congress in 1980. Hunt gathered here on and a knee-length skirt, timents. The Seneca July 9 to plan the con­ which allowed freedom * County Courier reported From 1-90 (New York vention. of movement. that "an intelligent and ILLUSTRATIONS NPS / GREG HARLIN State Thruway) take exit M'Clintock House Hunt House Elizabeth Cady Stanton House respectful audience" Wesleyan Chapel 41; go south on NY 414; The Elizabeth Cady She encouraged her attended the public ses­ east on US 20, (becomes There are exhibits, a film, The M'Clintock House Stanton House was the lawyer and abolitionist "My duties were too seven children to join more aware of women's On July 19 and 20, sion that evening to hear women and men signed More Information Fall St.); follow signs to and a schedule of activi­ was owned by the Hunts, family's home for 15 lecturer, and three boys. numerous and varied parlor discussions with economic insecurity. 1848, some 300 women the "eminently beauti­ the document. Frederick Women's Rights the visitor center. There ties. The visitor center who rented it to rela­ years. Stanton's activism They had four more and none sufficiently visitors like the Motts and men gathered in ful and instructive" dis­ Douglass reiterated his National Historical Park is no fee for admission. is accessible for visitors tives and fellow Quaker was based in large part children. exhilarating or intellec­ and . Guided tours of the the Wesleyan Chapel to course of Lucretia Mott. support at the final 136 Fall St. with disabilities; ask abolitionists Mary Ann on her experiences as a tual to bring into play She hosted a "conversa­ Stanton house are avail­ hear the first formal At the next day’s session session. Seneca Falls, NY 13148 Begin at the visitor about access to the other and Thomas M'Clintock. Seneca Falls housewife. Until she met Lucretia my higher faculties. I tion dub" for young able in summer and on demands for women's the amended declara­ 315-568-2991 center, 136 Fall St., open sites. Service animals are Convention planners met She was 31 years old Mott and other reform­ suffered with mental adults. Her benevolent a limited basis during rights. Curious local resi­ tion was adopted; 100 www.nps.gov/wori daily except fall and welcome. here on July 16,1848, to when she moved here ers, Stanton found small hunger, which, like an work with the town's the rest of the year. dents joined abolition- winter federal holidays. draft the Declaration of in 1847 with her hus­ town life oppressive: empty stomach, is very poor made her all the Find us on Facebook Hours are 9 am to 5 pm. Sentiments. band Henry Stanton, a depressing." and Twitter. Seneca Falls and Beyond

“What are we next to do?" asked Elizabeth Cady Stanton after groups like the and national political Left to right: Elizabeth Cady Stanton with her daughter the 1848 convention. The women of Seneca Falls had challenged parties. Some asserted their rights on a personal level by attend­ Harriot, Lucretia Mott, Martha America to social revolution with a list of demands that touched ing college, taking jobs, adopting new clothing fashions, and Wright, Mary Ann M'Clintock, and Jane Hunt. every aspect of life. Fifty years after the convention, women creating professional organizations. Then as now, each woman saw progress in property rights, employment, education, divorce sought her own definition of freedom. After the convention. Hunt and her husband continued and custody laws, and social freedoms. By the early 1900s, a co­ with various reform efforts. alition of suffragists, temperance groups, progressive politicians, In 1848 the Seneca County Courier warned that the convention's The M'Clintocks moved to Phil­ adelphia in 1856. Wright and and social welfare organizations mustered a successful push for resolutions were “of the kind called radical... Some will regard two M’Clintock daughters be­ the vote. them with respect—others with disapprobation and contempt." came active suffragists. Stanton, Wright, and Mott, with Lucy The story of the women's rights movement is the story of ideas Stone, Abby Kelly Foster, and Although the ballot was never the primary agent of social reform, once controversial, now commonplace. The chronology below Susan 8. Anthony, led the woman's rights movement as many had hoped, the suffrage movement expanded women's outlines the major events that changed the status quo for women through its formative years. influence in the political arena. Again the question. What next? in America. Which of our present efforts will contribute toward Eventually the movement was called women's rights. Immediately after 1920 many women worked for reform through a future of equality? What are we next to do? Remember the Ladies A Call to Convention War and Reconstruction Revolution

1775 American Revolution en’s concerns simultaneously 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton devises strategy, while Antho­ 1863 After Emancipation Association (AWSA) to sup­ begins. in 1776 with abolition. Sarah draws and Quaker abolitionists Jane ny lectures and circulates Proclamation frees many slaves port voting rights first for admonishes husband John and criticism for her 1837 Letters Hunt, Mary Ann M'Clintock, petitions. in Confederacy, Stanton and black males, then women. TheRevolution. other Revolutionary leaders on the Equality of the Sexes. Lucretia Mott, and Martha Anthony's National Women's Wyoming becomes first US to "remember the ladies" AASS splits in 1839 over issue Wright hold First Women's 1860 Stanton and Anthony Loyal League urges Congress territory to enact women's rattrctrit. rviier* zvtrica, xat nvaa. in forming the new govern­ STUART GILBERT BY PORTRAIT of women's rights. Rights Convention; demand work successfully to amend to outlaw slavery completely. suffrage. XKW TOLK. LIOAlMUt. JJUTOART K «•>» TtlM. ment. full and equal rights with men. the 1848 Married Women's Mott and contemporaries vi>l i .-jin i CONGRESS NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART OF GALLERY NATIONAL 1840 Newlyweds Henry and Property Act of New York. turn over leadership to the 1872 Anthony and colleagues 1784 Judith Sargent Murray Elizabeth Cady Stanton attend 1850 women aboli­ Revised law allows wives to rising generation. Younger test 14th and 15th amend­ writes essays endorsing World Anti-Slavery Conven­ tionists, including , OF LIBRARY hold property, keep earnings women's leaders anticipate ments by casting votes in New women’s education. Murray's “If particular care and attention tion in London, where organ­ organize national women's Lucy Stone (above left) champi­ and inheritances, make con­ that postwar expansion of York. Suffragists are arrested "On the Equality of the Sexes" is not paid to the ladies,* writes izers refuse to seat women rights convention in Worces­ ons reform by leading abolition tracts, sue in court, and share civil rights will include female and fined. An 1875 US Su­ appears in Abigail Adams in 1776. “we are delegates. Elizabeth Cady ter, Mass.; over 1,000 people and women's suffrage efforts, child custody. suffrage. Thirteenth Amend­ preme Court ruling upholds

Magazine in 1790. determined to foment a rebel­ Stanton and Lucretia Mott attend. More conventions are and by keeping her maiden ment outlaws slavery in 1865. states' right to deny women CONGRESS Of lion, and will not hold ourselves resolve to hold a convention held throughout the 1850s. name after marrying. "We hold 1861-65 Civil War. Northern the vote. In 1876 Anthony 1788 US Constitution is bound by any laws in which we devoted to women's rights. women to be justly entitled to and Southern women take 1867 First statewide women's and others crash US Centen­ have no voice or representation." LIBRARY ratified. With decisions about all we claim for man," writes over jobs on farms and in fac­ suffrage campaigns in nial celebration in Philadel­ — voting qualifications left up Frederick Douglass (above right) tories, businesses, and govern­ and New York are defeated. phia's Independence Hall, to states. women 1830s American Anti-Slavery soon after the 1848 convention. ment offices. Thousands of demanding women's vote. NEWSPAPER property owners have full Society is founded in Phila­ Two decades later Douglass women work as nurses, open­ 1869 Suffragists split over franchise until 1807. Elsewhere delphia in 1833 by Quakers breaks with Stanton over vot­ ing profession to females. strategy after 14th Amend­ SOCIETY. ing rights. women can vote in local elec­ seeking immediate emancipa­ ment specifies voting rights "It has been said," writes Stan­ tion of slaves. AASS's 1,600 1862 Morrill Act grants fed­ for "male citizens." Stanton tions. ton of Susan B. Anthony (right), HISTORICAL HISTORICAL

1851 Stanton meets Quaker eral land to support coeduca­ and Anthony form National auxiliaries gather over 400,000 "that I forged the thunderbolts signatures on antislavery teacher Susan B. Anthony in tional colleges and universi­ Woman Suffrage Association Early 1800s Popular litera­ STATE and she fired them." Beginning ture defines a new middle­ petitions by 1838. Seneca Falls. They form an ties in the West. Homestead (NWSA), which pushes for a in 1868 they publish the short­ activist team and use temper­ Act grants free land to any women's suffrage amend­ class ideal: women dominate COLLEGE SMITH COLLECTION, SMITH SOPHIA lived Revolution, advocating NEBRASKA — the "sphere" of home and As abolition cause escalates, ance and abolition gatherings "head of household," includ­ ment. Lucy Stone, Julia Ward "Equal Pay," "Cold Water not Al­ Denied leadership positions in many other abolitionist groups, family, with men viewed as lecturers like Sarah and An­ to address women's issues. ing women. New York's 1860 Howe, and others organize coholic Drinks," and "a new women sit on the executive committee of the Anti­

gelina Grimké promote wom­ Stanton writes speeches and property law is repealed. American Woman Suffrage Commercial and Financial Policy." PORTRAIT leaders in politics and business. Slavery Society. Lucretia and are at far right.

Social Reform Movements The Suffrage Bandwagon

1877 Backed by the NWSA, recovers by the early 1900s 1890 Wyoming is admitted 1910 State of Washington tant suffragist Emmeline a women's suffrage amend­ to become an active force in as first women's suffrage state. gives women full franchise, Pankhurst, leads mass dem­ ment is first introduced in suffragism. and Idaho follow; inspiring a nationwide cam­ onstrations, hunger strikes, Congress but not voted on campaigns in these states are paign that soon brings suc­ and constant pressure on po­ for 10 more years. As Recon­ 1887 WCTU and suffragists led by . cess in several western states. litical party in power. Paul struction era draws to a close. present US Senate with peti­ Utah enacts women's suffrage Progressive Party endorses and several thousand march­ Southern blacks see erosion tion supporting suffrage in 1896 to ensure Mormon con­ women's suffrage in 1912. ers ’s CONGRESS

trol. NWSA and AWSA merge Of Stanton's daughter Harriot of their new civil rights. amendment. Amendment is inauguration in March 1913. defeated. into the National American Stanton Blatch organizes first Paul and others leave NAWSA

1879 be­ Woman Suffrage Association LIBRARY suffrage parades in New York and form National Woman's — comes president of Woman's 1889 and Ellen (NAWSA). Stanton is president, City; solicits working women’s Party in 1916. Christian Temperance Union Starr establish Hull House in succeeded by Anthony in 1892. support through Women's STANTON

(WCTU), established in 1874 , nation's first settle­ Frances Willard sits on execu­ D Trade Union League. 1916 and AN to fight alcohol-related social ment house. In the following tive board. NAWSA strategy her sister Ethel Byrne open ills. Willard strongly advocates decades an army of educated shifts from constitutional 1911 Jane Addams, as vice- first American birth control ANTHONY women's suffrage as a means female reformers—young sin­ amendment to state referenda. president of NAWSA, advo­ clinic in . CONGRESS to impose a moral influence gle women, wives, mothers, cates immigrant women's Of on society. WCTU becomes and grandmothers—investi­ 1902 Elizabeth Cady Stanton right to vote, countering the 1917 US enters World War I. CONGRESS

SCHUMACHER. dies at age 86. Four years later belief that voting rights should Women take over jobs for Of nation's largest women's gates labor conditions, starts

organization by the 1880s. settlement houses, promotes Susan B. Anthony dies at 85. be restricted to native-born, men serving in armed forces. LIBRARY JOHANN Antisuffragist arguments are LIBRARY education and public health, New generation of suffragists white, educated citizens. Women's Bureau is formed; 1881 Knights of Labor agitates for liberalized birth are solidly in power, arguing for next several decades it is based mainly on differences be­ Temperance societies, first popular in the 1830s, are among the tween the sexes. Pro-suffrage

for vote on basis of female STATUES 1913 and newest earliest American women's groups. The crusade makes women all organizes housewives, do­ control laws, and marches for the only federal agency deal­ mestics, factory workers, rail­ suffrage. Increasingly, activists moral superiority rather than generation of suffragists re­ ing with women's concerns. groups claim those differences the more aware of their legal defenselessness against a drunken make women better qualified road workers; 65,000 women see vote as a mechanism to equality. NAWSA is led by Statues in Seneca Falls depict Stanton and Anthony being introduced vive demand for constitution­ husband and the need for property and divorce rights. After the voters. Some antisuffrage improve society. and in 1851. By 1892 the two (inset photo; Anthony on left) have led al amendment. Paul, who Gvil War the movement reemerges, its leaders promoting female join. Knights disband by 1886 groups are exposed as fronts Carrie Chapman Catt. the women's rights movement for four decades and have published worked in with mili- suffrage as a means of social reform. after losing national strike. for liquor interests. Women's organized labor four volumes of A History of Woman Suffrage.

The 19th Amendment A New Deal The Feminine Mystique "All Rights and Privileges"

1918 Women's suffrage 1923 At the 75th anniversary 1936 Federal court rules 1955 Civil Rights movement 1964 Civil Rights Act prohib­ 1973 In Roe v. Wade, US 1992 More women run for amendment is reintroduced of the Seneca Falls conven­ birth control legal for its own escalates in the South; Septima its job discrimination on the Supreme Court affirms right and are elected to public by Jeanette Rankin (R-Mon- tion, Alice Paul proposes an sake, rather than solely for Clark and others lead sit-ins basis of race or sex and estab­ to first trimester abortions office than in any previous tana), first woman elected to to prevention of disease. and demonstrations, provid­ lishes Equal Employment without state intervention. year in US history. the US Congress; passes both remedy inequalities that were ing strategies for future Opportunity Commission to houses by 1919. not addressed in the 19th 1941 US enters World War . address discrimination claims. 1974 of Connecti­ 2009 Equal Pay Act signed. Amendment. II. Millions of women are re­ cut is first woman 1920 19th Amendment, cruited for defense industry 1960 FDA approves birth 1966 National Organization elected in her own right. Today The fight for equality nicknamed the "Susan B. An­ Late 1920s Many states con­ jobs in war years and become control pills. for Women, founded by Betty is waged on many fronts:

thony Amendment," is rati­ tinue to bar women from jury significant part of labor force. Friedan and others, promotes INSTITUTION SMITHSONIAN 1980 Women's Rights National women are seeking political fied, extending voting rights duty and public office. Widows WAC and WAVE established 1961 President's Commission child care for working mothers, Historical Park is established influence, better education, to women throughout the succeed their husbands as BELMONT SEWALL AND MUSEUM HOUSE as first women's military corps. on the Status of Women is es­ abortion rights, the Equal Dec. 28. health reform, job equity, and United States. National Amer­ governors of Texas and Wyo­ Women like this railroad brake tablished, headed by Eleanor Rights Amendment, and "full legal reform. The demands ican Woman Suffrage Associ­ ming. Middle-class women operator take men's jobs for the 1947 Many women leave Roosevelt. Commission suc­ participation in the main­ 1981 Sandra Day O'Connor echo those of the movement ation becomes League of attend college and enter labor duration of World War II, per­ labor force to get married cessfully pushes for passage stream of American society is appointed first woman US throughout its history. manently changing the makeup

MUSEUM in 1963 of Equal Pay Act, first Women Voters, advocates force. Anticipated "women's and make way for returning now." Supreme Court justice. social reforms and protective vote" fails to materialize by of the workforce soldiers. But by end of decade, federal law to require equal In 1848 Stanton, Mott, and laws for working women. Na­ end of decade. numbers of working women compensation for men and 1972 Equal Rights Amend­ 1982 Deadline for ERA rati­ others claimed on behalf of tional Woman's Party opposes Democratic women's leader are again on the increase. women in federal jobs. ment passes both houses and fication expires three states American women "all the protective laws and promotes 1933 is ap­ Molly Dewson, women gain is signed by President Richard (short of adoption. rights and privileges which full social equality. The terms pointed by President Franklin positions in federal social serv­ 1952 Democratic and Re­ 1963 's The Nixon. Civil Rights Act bans belong to them as citizens." "" and "women's D. Roosevelt as first female ice bureaus. Mary McLeod publican parties eliminate Feminine Mystique articulates sex discrimination in employ­ 1984 is What would the reformers SEWALL BELMONT HOUSE AND HOUSE BELMONT SEWALL rights" come into common Secretary of Labor. In the New Bethune is director of the Ne­ women’s divisions. dissatisfaction with limita­ ment and education. Shirley first woman from a major po­ from Seneca Falls do today to Suffragists and Kather­ usage, replacing terms like Deal years, at urging of First gro Affairs Division of the Na­ tions on women. Chisholm is first African Amer­ Colorful and concise buttons ex­ litical party nominated as vice contribute toward a future of ine Morey are jailed in Boston. "woman suffrage." Lady and tional Youth Administration. ican to run for president. press some of women's concerns president. equality? What will you do? in the late 1900s.