Susan B. Anthony

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"Woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but be taught to protect herself." This is a quote spoken by famous women's rights and suffrage abolitionist, Susan B. Anthony. Many people throughout the course of history are considered heroes. But, only a few of these people posses the character and qualities to earn such a title. Susan B. Anthony is a great example of a hero who not only posses hero-like qualities, but made a huge difference in her time. "One of the most extraordinary Americans of the nineteenth century was social reformer Susan B. Anthony, who crusaded against slavery, was active in the temperance movement, and helped launch and then sustain the struggle to gain the vote for women." ("Susan B. Anthony" Gale). Born February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts, Susan B. Anthony was born to a family that had strong morals about the ability and rights of women. Taking these beliefs in mind, Anthony became a huge organizer for women's rights and suffrage. ("Anthony Biography: Stanton and Anthony Papers Online"). Anthony was considered one of the greatest heroes of her time for the work she did. A hero must possess bravery and determination in order to name themselves as those who act for the good of others. Susan B. Anthony possesses bravery and determination; her boldness made her an inspiration and defines her as a hero.

One who possesses the quality of bravery can overcome any obstacle thrown at them and do anything they set their mind to. Susan B. Anthony showed great bravery in her journey towards women's reformation and suffrage. "Women who crusaded relentlessly for this unpopular cause found themselves victimized by the press; no one was more cruelly attacked than Anthony. Women like her, who refused to be dependent on men and who committed themselves wholeheartedly to a cause, were labeled by learned men of letters and science as fanatically driven, unfulfilled, incomplete, sexually repressed, cold, hard, suffering from rigid authoritarianism-an endless list of negative images. Anthony was particularly vulnerable to having her rhetoric dismissed as 'the rantings of an embittered old maid'" ("Susan B. Anthony" Gale). Faced with extreme ridicule, Anthony could've let the harsh accusations of others set her back at any time. But she continued to fight for what she believed in, despite what others had to say about it. This is a huge part of what gives Anthony her heroic quality; not needing the approval and praise of people to know what she was doing was right. Even when faced with arrest, Anthony was brave, held her ground and followed through with her plans. "On November 1, 1872, in Rochester, Anthony--to the great surprise of many--convinced election inspectors to register her to vote. Four days later, she voted in the election--"the straight Republican ticket," she tells Stanton in a letter. Two weeks later she was arrested and charged with knowingly casting an illegal vote in a federal election. Anthony did succeed in converting her conviction into an opportunity to promote women suffrage" (Linder). Even though she knew the trouble she could get into by voting, Susan B. Anthony did not let this get in her way and illegally voted. She knew the risk she was taking and the consequences (arrest) she would face, however she followed through with her plans and put herself in a risky situation for the good of womankind. Anthony demonstrated great acts of bravery in the choices she made in her struggle for women's rights. She did not let obstacles such as the opinions of others or facing the law scare her. She continued to fight for her beliefs with an ongoing, brave attitude.

(en.wikipedia.org )

Success does not come easily, and nobody knows that better then Susan B. Anthony. Her tries were not always victorious, but she continued to fight until she was successful in the task at hand. With limited rights for women during the time period, Anthony was inspired to make a change. Working non-stop for the cause, she fought until her movement had an effect on the nation. "From that time on, Anthony joined the woman's suffrage movement and worked tirelessly and single-mindedly for women's rights, and she mounted a door-to-door campaign to collect signatures for a petition to give women the right to vote and own property. After repeated efforts, the women's movement won its first victory in 1860 with the passage of a bill permitting women to control their own earnings and property, to enter into contracts, and to serve as the guardians of their children" ("Susan B. Anthony" Gale). Success did not come easily to Anthony. She had to give many of her petitions and movements several attempts before they were accepted or even just considered. However, she continued to work hard, and eventually her hard work paid off when her movements began to win battles, bill passages, etc. Trips around the country and regular lectures are just a few of the things Anthony did to assure her movement would be successful. Although not accepted at first, she continued to present her case until the people began to see things her way. "She became convinced, in her words, "that the right women needed above every other...was the right of suffrage." Anthony soon became a regular on the lecture circuit and in legislative halls. In 1854, she traveled to all fifty-four of New York's counties to promote women suffrage and her other concerns of abolition and temperance. By 1856, her outspokenness and tireless efforts on behalf of abolitionism led to her selection as the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Association" (Linder). The work that Susan B. Anthony did was not for nothing. She saw that women were being treated unfairly, and thus dedicated her whole life to addressing and taking down issues involved in the lack of rights women had. The tireless efforts and trips around the country eventually led to many victories, one of which being the New York State agent for the American Anti-Slavery Association. This shows the determination Anthony had to always do what is right. The determination Susan B. Anthony displayed in her constant battles for women's rights and suffrage shows her commitment to the causes. Also, it shows her willingness to do whatever it took to get her point across. Determination is a quality that is vital to not only a hero but also everyday life, as things do not always work out the first time.

Susan B. Anthony is a true inspiration and hero to others; she possess great bravery and determination that defines her as a hero. Susan B. Anthony is an inspiration to people everywhere. She fought for what she believed in during a time where women were not expected to do much. Although everyone told her it was wrong, she continued to express her beliefs and became a huge part in the reformation of women and the suffrage movement. Anthony shows people everywhere if you fight for what you believe in and never give up, you can accomplish great things despite what others have to say. She is a great example to those discriminated for age, gender, race, etc. that one cannot let the words of others get in the way of success. With bravery and determination, anything can be accomplished.