On August 18th 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, guaranteeing women’s right to vote, which ended almost a century of protest. Historically, women were denied the most basic rights guaranteed to men. Married women were denied the right to property and legal claims to the money they earned. They also could not involve themselves in politics. Many reform groups started in the 1820s and blossomed on the national level with the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. It was here where the Declaration of Sentiments was produced, declaring that “all men and women are created equal” and announcing women’s right to vote.
As a way of commemorating this historic event, let’s take a look at some important figures in history.
In the article above, featured in February 12, 1920 Perth Amboy Evening News, describes the dedication of Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul, two prominent leaders in the suffrage movement. Susan B. Anthony was the author of the suffrage movement and Alice Paul was the chairman of the National Woman’s Party. Despite being arrested and jailed for their advocacy, both women persisted in campaigning for women’s rights.
The article above, featured in August 6, 1923 Perth Amboy Evening News, describes how delegates from all states would make the pilgrimage to Rochester, New York to place wreathes on Susan B. Anthony’s grave. The delegates also attended the 75th anniversary of the first Woman’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, is another important figure in the Suffrage Movement as featured in February 27, 1917 Perth Amboy Evening News.
The article above, featured in May 2, 1914 Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser, includes some of the prominent members of the Newark suffrage movement and other leaders.
Let’s not forget the men who contributed to the suffrage movement! This article, featured in September 14, 1914 Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser, mentions three proponents to women’s rights, Fillmore Condit, John Cotton Dana, and Lloyd Thompson. You may have recognized John Cotton Dana by a Rutgers University Library that was named after him in Newark, New Jersey. He made numerous contributions to the Newark community, such as providing materials and educational exhibits. He reached out to the city’s immigrants to determine the sources needed in the library. According to the article above, he believes that, by not allowing half of the members of society share in society’s management, “one must say that it is not an efficient society and that half of its members are servile.” Women’s right to vote is a necessity in a democratic society!
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(Contributed by Kristi Chanda)
Sources:
History.com Editors. “19th Amendment.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 5 Mar. 2010, www.history.com/topics/womens-history/19th-amendment-1.
“John Cotton Dana – Newark’s First Citizen.” Rutgers University Libraries, www.libraries.rutgers.edu/dana/john_cotton_dana.