Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an American woman born in New York and is known for wanting social change. She was an activist for the rights of women and for other groups. In the early 1840’s, she met Lucretia Mott. Lucretia Mott was a feminist and abolitionist, and they met at an Anti-Slavery Convention in London, England. An abolitionist is someone who protests slavery. These two women were not allowed to participate in the conference, even though they were sent there by their societies. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott were allowed to sit in a separate section and were hidden from the men. William Garrison was a famous abolitionist, and he sat with them to protest their treatment. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was very active in promoting equality for people of all races.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton became more active in the women’s rights movement, and presented a paper at the first women’s right convention. This paper stated that men and women were equal, and that they should have the same rights. Starting the women’s rights movement she was responsible. She believed that women should be allowed to vote, and this was called the suffrage movement. Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn’t just fight for the ability to vote. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wanted changes for women in many other areas. Women should have more rights in parenting, custody, divorce, employment, and the ability to own property and manage income. Stanton was also active internationally in developing women’s associations that focused on increasing women’s rights

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was formally educated, even though many women in that time were not given that opportunity. She studied Latin, Greek, and mathematics and won several academic awards and honors. Upon graduation from high school, she was discriminated against when she wasn’t allowed to go to Union College because only men were allowed. She instead went to Troy Female Seminary.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton married and had seven children. Even though she took her husband’s name, she always signed her maiden and married names. She insisted that women were individuals and shouldn’t be known only by their husband’s name. She also refused to include the promise to obey when she took her wedding vows, but agreed to treat him as an equal. Further on she refused to include the promise "to obey" her husband as part of her wedding vows, agreeing instead to treat him as an equal. Elizabeth Cady Stanton enjoyed being a mother, but eventually became involved in community issues. This led to more involvement in women’s rights, which she continued until her death.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for women’s rights in many states, and even ran for Congress in 1868. She didn’t win but was involved in getting many bills passed. Elizabeth Cady Stanton also wrote many books and speeches on the women’s rights movement. Stanton died at her home in New York City on October 26, 1902. This was almost twenty years before women were granted the right to vote in the United States. It would have been nice for her to see that but it was because of her efforts that it happened.

I picked Elizabeth Cady Stanton as a hero because she believed that every person was equal and everyone should have the same rights. She also showed a lot of courage in fighting for things that society felt were not important. A hero is someone who believes in something and follows that belief no matter what other people say or think. Women weren’t treated the same as men and weren’t given the same opportunities. Elizabeth Cady Stanton believed that women had a lot to contribute to society and should be responsible for themselves. I can’t imagine not being allowed to go to college or to vote for the President of the United States. I am glad that as an adult woman I will have the ability to make my own decisions and have the freedom to participate fully in society and to have control over my life.