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Seneca Falls Convention
In July 1848, 240 women suffragists met in Seneca Falls, New York, to declare women's right to vote. Some of the suffragists there were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Most Americans opposed women's suffrage. Even though African Americans could vote, Congress still did not allow women to vote. The Seneca Falls Convention was the starting point of the woman's rights movement. 100 people signed the "Declaration of Sentiments." -
Amendment Defeated
In 1878, the suffrage movement influenced the U.S. Congress for a constitutional amendment. Congress formed committees in the House and Senate to decide on the issue. When the proposal finally reached the Senate, it was defeated in 1886. -
National American Women Suffrage Association
In 1869, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton started the National Women Suffrage Association. This was formed to push Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That same year Lucy Stone organized the American Women Suffrage Association. This was formed to work through the state legislatures. In 1890, these two organizations joined to become the National American Women Suffrage Association. Also in 1890, Wyoming became the first state to allow women to vote. -
Role of Women was Changing
By the beginning of the 20th century, women's roles in the United States were changing. Women were working more and receiving a better education. They were also bearing fewer children. Several states had already granted women the right to vote. -
Equality League of Self-Supporting Women
Harriot Stanton Blatch formed the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women (later, the Women's Political Union). She started introducing parades, pickets, and marches to promote women's suffrage. These tactics were successful in Washington, D.C. -
National Women's Party
Alice Paul founded this organization to fight for women's suffrage. They staged many demonstrations and protested outside of the White House. Some of the group members were arrested and went to jail. -
President Wilson Helps Out
In 1918, President Wilson tried to endorse the 19th Amendment. It passed through the House, but it fell two votes short in the Senate. This was while World War I was still going on. -
19th Amendment Passes Congress
On May 21, 1919, James R. Mann proposed the House to approve this amendment. The amendment passed the House 304-89. This was a 42 votes above the two-thirds majority. On June 4th, 1919, the Senate passed the 19th Amendment 56-25. The amendment was then sent to the states for ratification. -
19th Amendment Ratified
On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified. Within six days of the ratification cycle, 4 states had already ratified the amendment. Tennessee became the deciding factor if the amendment would be ratified or not. On August 18, they ratified it. -
Sandra Day O'Conner
On September 24, 2981, Sandra Day O'Conner was the first women to be elected to the U.S. Supreme Court. This was a very important event in the woman's movement.
