Shellie Stevens

History 2700
"What is the most significant event to have shaped American history?" There
is no right answer and many debates as to the correct answer. For many believe it
was the emancipation proclamation or the signing of the constitution. Others will
argue the assassination of President Lincoln, but I personally think that the most
significant event that shaped American History was the push for freedom and
equality, not only for slaves but also for women. For all people whether male or
female, black or white, deserve to be treated with equality and respect not as objects
or possessions. Though my opinion is a bias opinion, obviously due to my sexual
orientation, I still believe it was a huge stepping-stone for the United States. It is a
stepping-stone many countries and civilization of this world still have not employed.
It is something that is close to my heart and I am very passionate about. It is also
something that is still being fought for every day in many places of the world.
Oppression, slavery, and brutality are still common in many locations of the world.
Accounts and records of this fight for equality for slaves and women, for the
United States specifically, from the pre-colonial time up until 1865, are very
intertwined with the largest difference seen in the length of time it took for the
womens rights movement to take hold and laws to be passed to put it into action. It
all began in March of 1839 when "a New York abolitionist newspaper called for a
convention to unite the efforts of national anti-slavery forces from around the
world." (Source 1) The British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society (BFASS) answered
their request in June of 1840 with their invitations to the World Anti-Slavery
Convention meeting in London, England. This convention was made up of many
scholars and professors of slavery. The topics of slavery covered every type of
bondage and was said to have been "an impressive array of topics from Russian
Serfdom to Liberian colonization to slavery in the United States and British East
Indies."(Source 1) The group of delegates sent from the United States was made up
not only men but also 8 women. These select women of America "had been active in
the campaign to abolish slavery in the United States, and it was only natural that
they should represent their antislavery societies at the London gathering. At least
that had been the thinking of most of the antislavery associations in America. Most
of the male delegates assembled in London thought otherwise." (Source 4) These
women delegates were told once they arrived that they would not be allowed to
speak and had to sit behind a curtain within the Freemasons Hall in order to listen
to the speeches and discussions. It was then that these women decided "the time
had come to worry about the freedom of women as well as the freedom of
blacks."(Source 4) It wasnt until 8 years later that they held their first convention in
Seneca Falls, New York, in July of 1848 and the movement officially began.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the leading lady of the first convention for
womens rights held in the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York. She was
assisted by Lucretia Mott and her other local female Quakers who lived locally in the
area. With this convention they wished to address many of the concerns of women

in the 1840s. For at that time women were unable to inherit property, sign
contracts, serve on juries, or vote in elections. Fathers and husbands controlled and
directed most aspects of their lives, leaving most doors closed to them. They had no
voice and wished to be heard! As you can imagine this convention was a progressive
and large step for women. It was the first battle for women to gain a "greater
proportion of social, civil, and moral rights."(Source 1) Most women viewed it as a
revolutionary beginning for equality with men. At this meeting they presented two
documents. The first was the Declaration of Sentiments and the second a list of 12
resolutions. These resolutions were stated as "denouncing discrimination against
women, asserting their equality with men, and calling upon society to allow women
to take part in the religious and public life of the nation. All but one of these
resolutions were adopted without dissenting vote."(Source 4) Great progress was
made in this meeting and many signs were seen of increased equality thus after but
"women were granted suffrage only slowly, state by state, in the early twentieth
century."(Source 4) It has been said by historians that American women were the
largest disenfranchised group in the nations history, and they retained this position
longer than any other group.
The first law to be passed that gave rights to these women was in April of
1848. For the New York State Assembly passed the Married Womans Property Act.
This gave women the right to retain their property they brought into a marriage or
gained through marriage. No longer would these women be prey to the creditors if
their husbands passed away and become burdens upon their families. These
incredible and strong willed women who were backed by forward thinking
compassionate men continued to push for womens rights up until the outbreak of
the American Civil War in 1861. After the outbreak of war the forward motion of the
womens right came to a halt. Only to be taken up again with force in the 1900s by
Alice Paul and her National Womans Party. Alice Paul in her fight for the passage of
national suffrage amendment was arrested and imprisoned. She continued to fight
even while in prison with her hunger strike and forced them to take notice. She was
so adamant that she would not eat until they passed the suffrage amendment that
they had to force-feed her. She kept fighting and eventually saw the fruit of her
labors through the passing of laws like womens right to vote in June of 1919.
These movements for equality changed the entire outcome of our nation. Can
you imagine where we would be as a nation if women still were not given equal
treatment with in the home, school, and workplace? Or, how different our society
would be if racism and acts of slavery were still so poignant. I am not saying that our
society, as a whole, is perfect and that there are not problems or issues of racism.
But the level of improvement and the changes enacted from the 1800s to now is
monumental. The segregation of black and white, or male and female, has mostly
disintegrated. Only those who refuse to let go of the past and dream of a better
future for our country still hold on to such petty racist thoughts. My hope is that we
can find a balance between men and women now. That all may feel free to express
themselves in whatever manner is befitting of them. That women will feel able to be
women and retain their femininity, and yet be treated as an equal and with respect.
That we can all dream of a great future together!

Sources:
1.
http://www.historiansagainstslavery.org/main/the-world-antislaveryconvention-of-1840/
2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Falls_Convention
3.
http://www.nps.gov/wori/historyculture/abolition-womens-rights-andtemperance-movements.htm
4.
Chapter 24, The Seneca Falls Convention, Changing Interpretations of
Americas Past
Reflection
The movement of Womens rights is relevant today in many ways. For women today
have almost all of the same rights and privileges as men. For no longer are women
forced to be controlled and directed in all aspects of their lives. They have the
opportunity to go to school, own property, marry whomever they please, hold jobs
and leadership positions, vote, run for positions in congress, etc. There are still some
problems with equality within the workplace and homes but the ladder of
progression is obvious as we review our history and the fight those incredible
women, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott fought. Who stated we
declare our right to be free as man is free, to be represented in the government.
(Source 4). They fought so hard for women to be heard and respected. But I also like
to remember and give credit to the men, their families or spouses, who supported
them and helped them succeed in their vision and dream of equality. My life is open
to never ending possibilities as a woman because of the effort, work, and fight
women over the centuries have put in. No more are we backed into the corner. We
are free! Now my wish is that all women, not just those within the United States, can
obtain this freedom.
During the spans of years I have attended college I have had many classes
that taught me the importance of our history and how important it is that we are a
part of it now. We cannot sit on the sidelines idly watching the political leaders of
our country make all the decisions. We need to be active participants in our
community and world. In my humanity course we learned about many different
cultures, people, and religions and it got me thinking. We have so much here in the
United States, how can I help make a difference elsewhere and within my
community? I decided I would choose a cause that I could support and that I felt
passionate about.
The group I chose and am proud to be a part of is AMAR International. This
foundation helps support countries, like Iraq, who are at war and whose people
have been oppressed, brutally killed or injured, and left to die. They currently are
helping try to get medical supplies, wheelchairs, blankets, clothing, and so many
essential things to these people. Most of these families will not survive the winter
without their help. They also are fighting to educate the women and help recover
these women who have been take from their families from the ISIS group. These
women have been kidnapped, raped, and been ordered to be slaves to ISIS. It makes
me ill every time I hear the personal stories of these people and the kidnapping and
slaughtering of their families. They have lost hope. Our goal is to give hope back to

them! To help them become strong so they can fight back against ISIS and recover
the homes and hopefully their families. I personally am advertising and promoting
through private and public gatherings and forums to educate more on this group. It
is my first step at making a difference and trying to emulate the strong women of my
past. To integrate my learning into my life and hopefully make the women of my
past proud in my fight for humanity.