Susan B. Anthony Day is celebrated on February 15 every year. This day marks the birth of Susan Brownell Anthony, who was one of the most influential women in American history. To honor this day, memorial ceremonies are held at her gravesite in Rochester, which is also the town that she was born in. Similar services are offered in other places like Washington D.C. Anthony fought a lifelong battle for suffrage for women, equal labor, and educational rights for women. She also took a stand against the practice of slavery and the consumption of alcohol. It is because of Anthony’s persistence that American women today vote freely.
HISTORY OF SUSAN B ANTHONY DAY
Anthony was born into a Quaker family, and the principles of equality and integrity were part of her life from a very young age. In 1826, she was sent to study at Canajoharie Academy, a Quaker school at which she went on to become head of the girls’ department.
When her family became involved in the abolitionist movement to end slavery, Anthony was introduced to the world-renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The friendship forged between the two would prove to last decades.
In later years, Anthony devoted her time to social issues such as limiting the sale and production of alcohol. While campaigning for the temperance movement, she was refused a chance to talk at a convention because she was a woman. This led her to realize that women would never be taken seriously in politics unless they had the right to vote.
In 1851, Anthony met the popular women’s rights activist, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the rest was history. Before long, they joined hands to form the National Woman Suffrage Association. In the process, Anthony traveled far and wide, campaigning on behalf of women in numerous states. She also started petitions demanding that women gain the right to vote and to own property.
Anthony fought tirelessly into her last years. She even met with President Roosevelt in 1905 and put forth her draft in support of granting voting rights to women. Unfortunately, she didn’t live to witness the historic feat of the American constitution passing the 19th Amendment in 1920, giving all adult women the right to vote.
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