Susan B. Anthony

Susan Brownell Anthony was born on February 15, 1820. During her life time she would become an American social reformer and an activist for women's rights. She would become a pivotal individual during the women's suffrage movement. This was not the way her life was meant to go as her life dictated as she was born into a Quaker family. Her family was committed to social equality and was against slavery. At the age of 17 she became an activist collecting names for a petitions at the age of 17. In 1856 Susan was a New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Susan would meet Elizabeth Cady Stanton in the early 1850's. The women would become life long friends and co-workers fighting for social reform and women's rights. Together the ladies founded the New York Women's State Temperance Society. In 1863 the Women's Loyal National League was started and the ladies helped conduct the largest petition drive in the U.S. at this time. In 1866 the American Equal Rights Association which campaigned for equal rights for both women and African Americans was initiated. The ladies started a women's rights newspaper by the name of The Revolution in 1868. 

Anthony would take brave steps in her life such as voting in her hometown of Rochester, New York and being arrested and convicted for doing so. She refused to pay the find that the authorities argued she did but then declined to take further action. The arrest and conviction drew attention to the goal the women wanted to stand for and change. The nineteenth amendment of the U.S. constitution would take place because of actions like these in 1920. This amendment would give women the right to vote. 

Susan B. Anthony traveled in support of women's suffrage appearing and speaking at 75 to 100 places a year. She would work on many state campaigns as well. She would help form the international council of women which is still active today. 

In 1900 she would celebrate her birthday in the White House. She had been invited by President William McKinley. In 1979 she would be depicted on a U.S. coin. This would come out when I was 9 years old. I had no idea that this coin that resembled the quarter was a Susan B Anthony dollar. I in turn spent it as a quarter my aunt would go back and get the money as she knew the difference and shared the story of Susan B Anthony and why as a girl in the U.S. should grow up to be a proud woman. 

dedicated to my aunt touchie