Elizabeth Cady Stanton


Elizabeth Cady Stanton Leader of Women's Rights Movement

1815-1902

 

Elizabeth grew up in New York in a Presbyterian household. She was able to attend an all-boys high school, where she excelled in learning Greek. Because no college offering high degrees were open to women, Cady attended Emma Willard's Academy and graduated in 1832. She then studied law with her father who was a judge. But, because she was a women, Cady was not allowed admission to the bar, which was required for all lawyers. As a result, she started to become concerned about the need for greater equality for women.

 

In 1840, she married Henry Stanton and together they got involved in the temperance (anti-alcohol) and abolition movements. The Stantons attended an anti-slavery convention in London, but she, along with Lucretia Mott and other women, were not recognized because of their gender. In 1848, Stanton, Mott, and other women organized the Seneca Falls Convention, which was the beginning of the women's rights movement. Stanton, along with Susan B. Anthony, began to speak to different organizations and legislative bodies about women's rights and the need to grant women the right to vote. Stanton also believed that women should be given the right to control their own property.

 

In 1869, Stanton was chosen to be first president of the National Woman's Suffrage Association. In 1888, she addressed the first International Council of Women in Washington, D.C. Stanton was the mother of seven children and was known as a courageous and bright woman, In addition to speaking about women's rights, she also spoke about family life and child care, wrote for various magazines, and co-authored two books on women's issues.


 

Learning from Her Character

1. How did Stanton deal with the obstacles she faced?

2. How did Stanton try to bring about positive social change?

3. What are some problems today that you would like to see changed? What could you do to try to bring about positive changes.

 

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