Women's Suffrage
Starting in the late 1800's, Women's Suffrage was an area of popular interest for women. They wanted female representation in the government and representation in making laws. Many women felt that females could offer a different set of viewpoints from males, whereas other women felt that females had a superior opinions and judgement. All in all, they wanted a say, and they didn't stop fighting until they got one.
Seneca Falls Convention
Held in 1848 Seneca Falls, New York, the Seneca Falls Convention was a convention to discuss the religious and social conditions and rights of woman. It was also the first organized women's rights convention. It was only held for two days on July 19 and 20, but yet, it gained a lot of attention. Soon after, many other conventions were held across the U.S., such as the annual National Women's Rights Conventions in Worcester, Massachusetts which came together in 1850.
Due to the growing popularity of the issue of Women's Suffrage, two rival organizations were developed. The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the American Women's Suffrage Association (AWSA), founded by Lucy Stone and Julia Ward Howe. They went after gaining voting rights in different ways, but in 1890 they combined their groups to increase support for the cause, thus forming the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). According to the Bryn Mawr College, the Association's strategy was to "push for suffrage at the state level, believing that state-by-state support would eventually force the federal government to pass the amendment."
Due to the growing popularity of the issue of Women's Suffrage, two rival organizations were developed. The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the American Women's Suffrage Association (AWSA), founded by Lucy Stone and Julia Ward Howe. They went after gaining voting rights in different ways, but in 1890 they combined their groups to increase support for the cause, thus forming the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). According to the Bryn Mawr College, the Association's strategy was to "push for suffrage at the state level, believing that state-by-state support would eventually force the federal government to pass the amendment."
President's of the NAWSA
Caroline McCormick Slade, 1947-1951
Declaration of Rights and Sentiments
Written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1848, the Declaration of Sentiments, also known as the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, was an important document signed by attendees at the Seneca Falls Convention. It was autographed by 68 women and 32 men, only about one-third of all those in attendance at the convention. The document is heavily based on the United States Declaration of Independence, even starting with the line "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal. . ." This iconic document of history formed the basis of the demands of women in the late 1800's. This Declaration was also backed by Frederick Douglass, whose attendance at the convention and support helped to pass the resolutions they put forward.