The Seneca Falls Convention —
the first convention for women's rights — began on this date in 1848. It
was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her friend Lucretia Mott. They had
been getting together frequently to talk about the abuses they suffered as
women, and they finally decided to have a public meeting to discuss the status
of women in society.
Just a few days before the meeting, Stanton took
the Declaration of Independence as her model and drafted what she titled
a Declaration of Sentiments, calling for religious, economical, and
political equality and which said, "The history of mankind is a history of
repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman."
Elizabeth Cady Stanton read the declaration and then made a radical suggestion,
that the document should also demand a woman's right to vote.
At that time, no
women were allowed to vote anywhere on the planet. And many of the other women
there objected to the idea. They thought it was impossible.
Reaction to the convention in the press and the
pulpit was mostly negative.
The Oneida Whig wrote: "This bolt is
the most shocking and unnatural incident ever recorded in the history of
womanhood. If our ladies will insist on voting and legislating, where,
gentlemen, will be our dinners and our elbows? Where our domestic firesides and
the holes in our stockings?"
Philadelphia's Public Ledger and Daily
Transcript declared: "A woman is nobody. A wife is everything. The
ladies of Philadelphia [...] are resolved to maintain their rights as Wives,
Belles, Virgins and Mothers."
Seventy-two years later, women would be granted
the right to vote. Only one of the signers of the original Declaration of
Sentiments was still living at the time.
It took 72 years. Let this be our inspiration to NEVER GIVE UP, REGARDLESS OF WHAT OUR GOALS MAY BE!
Text above via The Writer's Almanac, 7/19/2013; photos via Google.
"never give up" is excellent advice.
ReplyDeleteit didn't happen all that long ago. when my mother was born women couldn't vote. so strange to think how comparatively recent that happened.
Yes, only 1920 in the U.S. We forget these things.
DeleteA major change that's for sure. I blush to say I seldom think about it and appreciate it when I go to the polls. I know about it, read about it, but don't stop to think about those who earned voting rights for me.
ReplyDeleteDarla
They fought long and hard for a woman's right to vote. and I agree we don't appreciate them nearly enough.
DeleteWell, women in Finland were the third ( 1906 ) in the world to have the right to vote.
ReplyDeleteFirst in Europe : ).
That is amazing and commendable for Finland. We were way down the line in allowing women the vote.
DeleteHello Sanda
ReplyDeleteA wonderful reminder. I am often saddened to see folks who cannot be bothered voting.
I'll never give up
Have a wonderful weekend
Helenx
I wish more people took it more seriously. No shortage of complainers and not enough voters.
DeleteThose first women had courage.
ReplyDeleteIndeed we have come a long way.
Even today, some women are fighting for their rights.
whatever we do, we must not give up.
People must vote.. as Helen wrote. Its sad when people cant be bothered.
very interesting Sanda.
happy weekend
val
So sad there are countries where women are still struggling for basic human rights. We have a great deal to be thankful for but should encourage/help those who haven't attained it.
Delete