History of Women's Suffrage in America
Watch this informative video from the National Women's History Museum:
A little background to get you up and running...
Although the fight for women's suffrage in America markedly began in 1848 with the signing of the Declaration of Sentiments, history shows that this idea was no new revelation to women; inequality was life (National park service, 2012). As early as 1776, women were prompting change. It is noted that Abigail Adams sent a personal request by letter to her husband, John Adams (on the committee which was drafting the Declaration of Independence) asking that he and the other men---"Remember the Ladies" in the task before them. Her husband, a future president, responded with humor. His opinion, which concurred with the other committee members, is reflected in the wording of the Declaration of Independence which specifies that "all men are created equal" (Barber). After reading the Declaration of Sentiments (drafted at the first women's rights convention 82 years after the Declaration of Independence), answer the following questions: What specific language is borrowed from the Declaration of Independence? Why do you think the drafters borrowed this language? Does this word choice make a statement? Support your answer.
Even today, women across the globe feel the injustice of having a lower status than their male counterparts. How does one stand up to this injustice? How does one change the course of history? Answer: One takes the hand another, to become two; two take the hands of the next supporters and soon a a chain of unity forms and so that one can make a difference by becoming many. This is just what happened in America in the the mid 1800s, which eventually resulted in the 19th Amendment being added to the Constitution in 1920 (notice that it took almost a century to accomplish).
While this website focuses on the historical significance of Tennessee in the Women's Suffrage Movement, it is importance to trace the roots of the movement. Without a strong beginning with strong leaders, the spark would have soon died out. A good place to start is Women's Rights National Historic Park website. Here you can follow links to get a brief background on the organizers of the first women's rights convention (National park service, 2012). You will also find that each of these five organizers (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Wright, Mary Ann M'Clintock, and Jane Hunt) had strong connections to the abolitionist movement for anti-slavery. This should speak of their fight for equality for all citizens. The National Park Service has done a wonderful job of commemorating four sites relevant to this start as well as creating a modern visitor's center which serves as an introduction to the movement itself (National park service, 2012).
The second site I chose was actually at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum. They have added a display which serves as a memorial to the Suffragettes. They have a replica of the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial as well as memorabilia relating to the Suffrage Movement, such as items reflecting on Harry T. Burn. Burn was the Tennessee General Assembly representative from McMinn County which cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment giving women across America the right to vote. While this memorial is in the museum in Athens, Tn (the county seat in McMinn County), Harry T. Burns actually resided in Niota, Tn (also a city within McMinn County). Burns is a great source of pride for the local historians, as he should be for all Tennesseans.
Even today, women across the globe feel the injustice of having a lower status than their male counterparts. How does one stand up to this injustice? How does one change the course of history? Answer: One takes the hand another, to become two; two take the hands of the next supporters and soon a a chain of unity forms and so that one can make a difference by becoming many. This is just what happened in America in the the mid 1800s, which eventually resulted in the 19th Amendment being added to the Constitution in 1920 (notice that it took almost a century to accomplish).
While this website focuses on the historical significance of Tennessee in the Women's Suffrage Movement, it is importance to trace the roots of the movement. Without a strong beginning with strong leaders, the spark would have soon died out. A good place to start is Women's Rights National Historic Park website. Here you can follow links to get a brief background on the organizers of the first women's rights convention (National park service, 2012). You will also find that each of these five organizers (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Wright, Mary Ann M'Clintock, and Jane Hunt) had strong connections to the abolitionist movement for anti-slavery. This should speak of their fight for equality for all citizens. The National Park Service has done a wonderful job of commemorating four sites relevant to this start as well as creating a modern visitor's center which serves as an introduction to the movement itself (National park service, 2012).
The second site I chose was actually at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum. They have added a display which serves as a memorial to the Suffragettes. They have a replica of the Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial as well as memorabilia relating to the Suffrage Movement, such as items reflecting on Harry T. Burn. Burn was the Tennessee General Assembly representative from McMinn County which cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment giving women across America the right to vote. While this memorial is in the museum in Athens, Tn (the county seat in McMinn County), Harry T. Burns actually resided in Niota, Tn (also a city within McMinn County). Burns is a great source of pride for the local historians, as he should be for all Tennesseans.
(2012)
Show what you know....
Read about women's progress toward suffrage on a global level here, then take this quiz from Scholastic to test your knowledge (Groilier online).