Take Five: Susan B. Anthony – The Sun Chronicle

Last months Womens March in Washington D.C. continues to highlight causes and concerns that are important to women in this country. While looking to the future and ways to continue to make improvements is vital, there should also be time for reflection and appreciation of how far our country has already come. Massachusetts native Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820. As we celebrate her birthday this week, reflect on the causes she championed as a beacon for womens rights, and the lasting impact she has had on women here in the United States.

Suffrage

Known primarily as a suffragist, Anthony knew that the most significant way to influence public affairs for the betterment of all women was to give women a say at the ballot box. Her long-standing partnership with Elizabeth Cady Stanton led to almost 50 years of dedicated work for womens rights. She published the newspaper The Revolution, with the masthead Men their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less. Unfortunately, her death in 1906 preceded the final passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920 that granted women the vote, but it is that amendment that bears her name.

Abolitionist

Anthonys life long fight for equal rights extended beyond women to include people of all races. She long championed for the abolition of slavery, and while the 14th and 15th Amendments granted slaves citizenship, the right to vote, and equal protection under the law, she was disappointed that it still excluded women.

Education

Her struggle for womens rights extended into all areas of a womans life. This included the right to an education. Her case was that there is no difference between the minds of men and women and because of that, all boys and girls should be educated together. She believed that all people, regardless of race or gender, should have equal opportunities for education. Ultimately, she was instrumental in getting women and former slaves admitted for the first time into colleges and universities.

Labor

When it came to the workplace, Anthony advocated for and formed the Workingwomens Central Association, a labor union that strove to advance the rights and protections of women in the work force. When men went on strike, she encouraged employers to hire women, thus proving that they were able and capable of doing the same jobs that men could do.

Equal Rights

All of these various endeavors on behalf of women resulted in greater equality in many other areas as well. Anthonys work resulted in women being granted property rights, the ability to keep their wages, and to retain custody of their children. She also fought for equal protection under the law, and for women and men to be held to the same moral standards when facing prosecution.

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Take Five: Susan B. Anthony - The Sun Chronicle