Millions of women in the United States exercised their right to vote for the first time in 1920. It was a long rough road, however, after 100 years, it became a reality. Many speeches inspired, parades rallied, and petitions persuaded. These women and the men who supported them were remarkably brave and heroic.
Susan B. Anthony was one of the women leaders in the fight for equal rights in America. She was born in Massachusetts on February 15, 1820. Anthony is commonly known for the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin. She had many marvelous attributes and her whole life was centered around advocating for women.
This timeline briefly shares some of her journey.
1853 – Campaigned for married women’s property rights
1856 – Joined Anti-Slavery Society
1890 – National American Women’s Suffrage Association organization was formed. Anthony was the second president of the organization where she continued fighting for “votes for women” until she later died in 1906.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was another forerunner in the fight for equality for women’s rights in America. Stanton was born on November 12, 1815 in New York and died in 1902.
Elizabeth was known for her part in organizing the first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, NY in 1848. Approximately 240 women and men met to discuss “the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women.” There 68 women and 32 men signed a Declaration of Sentiments, that declared women were citizens equal to men with “an inalienable right to the elective franchise.” This declaration at Seneca Falls was considered the beginning of the campaign for women’s suffrage.
These women are heroes who sacrificed to make a difference in the lives of others. The #FightsNotOver. Did you know that some women still do not have the right to vote? Join the fight for gender equality. Watch this clip and see how you can help.
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#HopeForOurDaughters
$1 will be donated to Equality Now.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to all Veterans. Thank you for your service. We appreciate you!
Interesting facts about women’s firsts in the armed forces.
- 1985 – Penny Harrington was appointed as Chief of Police of the Portland Police Bureau, making her the first woman to lead a major–city police department.
- 1991 – Congress authorizes women to fly in combat missions.
- 1993 – Congress authorizes women to serve on combat ships.
- 2000 – Kathleen McGrath became the first woman to command a warship at sea.
- 2004 – Colonel Linda McTague becomes the first woman commander of a fighter squadron in U.S. Air Force history.
- 2008 – Ann E. Dunwoody is the first female four–star general in the U.S. Army.
- 2014 – Michelle J. Howard began her assignment as the U.S. Navy’s first female and first female African–American four–star admiral on July 1, 2014.
- 2015 – Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver are the first female soldiers to graduate from the school for the Army Rangers.
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