Susan B. Anthony
Early Life
Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. She was raised in a Quaker family with a strong emphasis on social reform. Her father, Daniel Anthony, was a cotton manufacturer and an abolitionist. Her mother, Lucy Read Anthony, was also committed to social equality and justice.
Activism and Suffrage Movement
Susan B. Anthony was a pioneering figure in the women's suffrage movement. She partnered with Elizabeth Cady Stanton to found the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869. Anthony played a key role in advocating for women's rights, including the right to vote, own property, and receive an education.
Trial of Susan B. Anthony
In 1872, Anthony was arrested for voting in the presidential election, an act that was illegal for women at the time. She was tried and convicted in the case United States v. Susan B. Anthony, which became a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement.
Susan B. Anthony Amendment
Anthony's relentless activism laid the groundwork for the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, also known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. This amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote, a cause she had tirelessly championed.
Later Life and Legacy
Anthony continued her advocacy work until her death on March 13, 1906. Her home in Rochester, New York, known as the Susan B. Anthony House, is now a museum dedicated to her life and work. She is also commemorated by the Susan B. Anthony Day, celebrated on her birthday each year.
Susan B. Anthony Dollar
In recognition of her contributions, the United States Mint released the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1979. This coin became the first U.S. currency to feature a woman other than Lady Liberty.
Controversies and Disputes
There have been modern disputes over Anthony's stance on abortion. The organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America claims her as an anti-abortion advocate, although historical evidence on her specific views is inconclusive.