Susan B. Anthony’s contributions to the women’s suffrage movement were monumental and have continued to inspire generations of activists. Anthony’s tireless efforts helped to lay the groundwork for the suffrage movement, and her legacy is still celebrated today.
Career and Activism
In 1851, Anthony began her career as an activist when she attended a women’s rights convention in Syracuse, New York. She went on to become a prominent speaker and organizer for women’s rights and suffrage. In 1869, she co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and served as its president until 1890. She also advocated for other social causes, including the abolition of slavery and the temperance movement (National Women’s History Museum; Barry 1988).
Anthony was a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement and played a pivotal role in securing voting rights for women. Kathleen Barry’s biography, “Susan B. Anthony: A Biography of a Singular Feminist,” provides a comprehensive look at Anthony’s life and activism, highlighting her key role in the women’s suffrage movement as the co-founder of the National Woman Suffrage Association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1869 (Lutz, 1940), and served as its president until 1890. Anthony travelled across the country, giving speeches and organizing rallies to promote the cause of women’s suffrage. Her advocacy and leadership helped to galvanise support for the movement and pave the way for future activists.
Ann D. Gordon’s article, “Susan B. Anthony and the Struggle for Equal Rights,” explores the challenges Anthony faced in her efforts to secure voting rights for women, and her legacy as a feminist icon. The article highlights how Anthony faced opposition from many quarters, including some women’s groups who believed that suffrage should not be the primary focus of the women’s rights movement. Despite these challenges, Anthony continued to fight for the cause of women’s suffrage and was instrumental in securing the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Anthony’s most famous act of civil disobedience came in 1872 when she was arrested for voting in the presidential election. Her arrest and subsequent trial helped to bring national attention to the women’s suffrage movement and galvanised support for the cause. Though she was found guilty and fined $100, Anthony refused to pay the fine and used the trial as a platform to promote the cause of women’s suffrage (Gordon, 2017).
According to her legacy, “Susan B. Anthony died on March 13, 1906, before the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. However, her tireless efforts helped to lay the groundwork for the suffrage movement, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists.” (Gordon, 2019)
Conclusion
Susan B. Anthony’s contributions to the women’s suffrage movement were immeasurable. Her tireless efforts helped to lay the groundwork for the movement and her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists. Anthony’s partnership with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her leadership of the National Woman Suffrage Association was instrumental in securing voting rights for women. Her legacy as a feminist icon and civil rights leader lives on today.
– By Jasmeen Ewaida
Bibliography
Barry, K. (1988). Susan B. Anthony: A biography of a singular feminist. NYU Press.
Gordon, A. D. (2010). Susan B. Anthony and the struggle for equal rights. Oxford University Press.
Gordon, A. D. (2017). Susan B. Anthony and the Struggle for Equal Rights. In Women’s Rights and Transatlantic Antislavery in the Era of Emancipation (pp. 135-150). Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
Lutz, A. (1970). Created equal: A biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Oxford University Press.
National Women’s History Museum. (n.d.). Susan B. Anthony. Retrieved, from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/susan-b-anthony
Biography.com Editors. (2022, March 22). Susan B. Anthony. Retrieved, from https://www.biography.com/activist/susan-b-anthony
SHAPE 