Susan B. Anthony, American suffragist and activist (d. 1906)

Susan B. Anthony: A Pioneer for Women's Suffrage and Social Justice

Born Susan Brownell Anthony on February 15, 1820, and passing away on March 13, 1906, Susan B. Anthony was an influential American social reformer and a pivotal leader in the burgeoning women's rights movement. Her unwavering dedication significantly shaped the trajectory of the women's suffrage movement, advocating for women's fundamental right to vote. Raised in a Quaker family, Anthony was instilled with a deep-seated commitment to social equality from an early age. The Quaker tenets of pacifism, equality of the sexes, and social justice profoundly influenced her life's work. Her activism began remarkably early; at just 17 years old, she was actively collecting anti-slavery petitions, demonstrating her early commitment to challenging societal injustices. This dedication to abolitionism continued into her adult life, leading her to become the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1856, a prominent organization founded by leading abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.

The Powerful Partnership for Women's Rights and Abolition

A transformative meeting in 1851 connected Susan B. Anthony with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship and an unparalleled partnership in social reform. While Stanton was often the brilliant writer and theoretician, Anthony emerged as the movement's indefatigable organizer and eloquent speaker. Together, they formed a formidable duo that would drive the women's rights agenda for decades.

• Founding the New York Women's State Temperance Society (1852): This organization was established after Anthony herself was denied the right to speak at a temperance conference solely because she was a woman. This personal experience vividly underscored the systemic gender discrimination prevalent at the time and propelled her deeper into women's rights advocacy.
• Establishing the Women's Loyal National League (1863): During the American Civil War, Anthony and Stanton recognized the critical link between women's activism and national causes. They co-founded the Women's Loyal National League, which undertook the most extensive petition drive in United States history up to that point. This monumental effort collected nearly 400,000 signatures urging the abolition of slavery, directly contributing to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment.
• Launching the American Equal Rights Association (1866): Following the Civil War, Anthony and Stanton initiated this association, campaigning vigorously for universal suffrage—equal voting rights for both women and African Americans. However, disagreements arose over the proposed Fifteenth Amendment, which granted suffrage to Black men but not to women, leading to a significant split within the broader movement.
• Publishing "The Revolution" (1868): To provide a platform for their progressive views, they began publishing a weekly women's rights newspaper, "The Revolution." Its iconic motto, "Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less," encapsulated their unwavering stance on gender equality.
• Forming the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) (1869): This organization was founded as a direct result of the aforementioned split, advocating for a federal woman suffrage amendment and addressing a wider array of women's rights issues, including divorce reform and equal pay.
• Leading the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) (1890): After two decades, the schism within the women's movement formally healed. The NWSA merged with the more conservative American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Susan B. Anthony became its leading force, guiding the unified movement towards its ultimate goal.
• Collaborating on "History of Woman Suffrage" (1876 onwards): Recognizing the need to document their struggle, Anthony, Stanton, and Matilda Joslyn Gage began compiling what would become the six-volume "History of Woman Suffrage." This monumental work, spanning over 5,700 pages, serves as an invaluable primary source for understanding the early women's rights movement.

While their interests diverged somewhat in later years, with Stanton often exploring more radical ideas on religion and women's roles, their deep friendship and mutual respect endured, a testament to their shared commitment to a more just society.

A Landmark Act of Civil Disobedience and the Path to the 19th Amendment

In a bold act of civil disobedience in 1872, Susan B. Anthony cast a ballot in the presidential election in her hometown of Rochester, New York, deliberately violating laws that restricted voting to men. She asserted her right to vote under the Fourteenth Amendment, arguing that as a citizen, she was entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizenship, including suffrage. Her arrest and subsequent trial, "United States v. Susan B. Anthony," became a widely publicized legal battle. Despite her eloquent defense, she was convicted. However, when she defiantly refused to pay the imposed fine, authorities strategically declined to pursue further action, likely to prevent her from appealing the case to a higher court, which would have granted her an even larger platform for her cause.

Six years later, in 1878, Anthony and Stanton orchestrated the introduction of a woman suffrage amendment to the U.S. Congress. Presented by Senator Aaron A. Sargent, a Republican from California and a staunch advocate for women's rights, this groundbreaking proposal would eventually become colloquially known as the "Susan B. Anthony Amendment." After enduring decades of tireless campaigning, persistent lobbying, and repeated introductions, this very amendment was finally ratified on August 18, 1920, as the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, formally guaranteeing women the right to vote nationwide. This achievement, coming 14 years after Anthony's death, was the culmination of her life's work.

Global Advocacy and Enduring Legacy

Susan B. Anthony's commitment to women's rights extended far beyond national borders. She traveled extensively across the United States, often delivering an astounding 75 to 100 speeches annually and actively participating in numerous state-level suffrage campaigns, tirelessly spreading her message and organizing support. Her vision also encompassed international collaboration for women's equality.

• International Council of Women (ICW): Anthony played a pivotal role in the creation of the International Council of Women in 1888. This pioneering organization facilitated global networking among women's groups and continues its work today, demonstrating her foresight in building a worldwide movement for women's rights.
• World's Congress of Representative Women (1893): She was instrumental in organizing the World's Congress of Representative Women, held in conjunction with the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. This significant event brought together women leaders from around the globe, providing an unprecedented platform for discussing women's issues and demonstrating the growing strength of the international women's movement.

Public Acclaim and Historical Recognition

When Susan B. Anthony first embarked on her campaigning for women's rights, she faced widespread ridicule and severe criticism. She was often accused of threatening traditional family structures and attempting to "destroy the institution of marriage." However, public perception of her and her cause underwent a radical transformation during her lifetime. By the turn of the 20th century, she had evolved from a radical agitator into a respected national figure.

A testament to this shift in public opinion, her 80th birthday in 1900 was celebrated at the White House, a rare honor extended at the invitation of President William McKinley himself. Her enduring legacy was further cemented posthumously when she became the first non-allegorical female citizen to be depicted on U.S. coinage, her portrait gracing the 1979 dollar coin. Today, her Rochester home is preserved as a National Historic Landmark, a permanent reminder of her profound contributions to American democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Susan B. Anthony

What was Susan B. Anthony's primary focus as an activist?

Susan B. Anthony's primary focus was achieving women's suffrage, the right for women to vote. While she was involved in other social reform movements like abolition and temperance, she dedicated the majority of her life to securing equal political rights for women.

Who was Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Susan B. Anthony?

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was Susan B. Anthony's lifelong friend, intellectual partner, and co-leader in the women's rights movement. Stanton often penned the powerful speeches and theoretical arguments, while Anthony organized, traveled, and delivered them, making them an incredibly effective team.

Why was Susan B. Anthony arrested?

Susan B. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for illegally voting in the presidential election in Rochester, New York. She intentionally cast her ballot to challenge the constitutionality of voting laws that excluded women, arguing that as a citizen, the 14th Amendment granted her this right.

What is the "Susan B. Anthony Amendment"?

The "Susan B. Anthony Amendment" is the colloquial name for the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Introduced in Congress in 1878, it states that "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." It was ratified in 1920.

How is Susan B. Anthony recognized today for her contributions?

Susan B. Anthony is recognized as one of the most important figures in American history for her tireless advocacy for women's rights. Her image appeared on the U.S. dollar coin in 1979, and her former home in Rochester, New York, is a National Historic Landmark, preserving her legacy as a champion of equality.