THE START OF A LEGACY . . .
The first step toward success
For more than fifty years, women during the 1800s and 1900s fought for what they knew was right - the enfranchising and equal rights for all women in the United States of America. Since the year 1848, more than one-thousand women have protested, marched, and campaigned for the rights of women. It is noted that the year 1848 marks the year of a tremendous step toward success due to the first women's right convention being held. A few years after the convention, women realized in order to achieve reform, they must first earn equal rights - the first right being the right to vote.
Information collected form the National Women's History Museum
The National Woman Suffrage AssociationThe first faction, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was formed in 1869. The group was organized by two, praise deserving women, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth C. Stanton. NSWA was founded on the strict reasoning for revising federal law and going against the 15th Amendment. The two, along with many others, believed the 15th Amendment discriminated against all women the right to vote. The downfall of NWSA was aiming the organization's goal toward a Congressional amendment to the Constituion. |
Elizabeth C. Stanton
The American Woman Suffrage Association
Lucy Stone
The National American Woman Suffrage Association
The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) combined NWSA and AWSA. United by 1890, NAWSA focused on gaining enough votes in states so the Congress would be forced to approve a federal amendment. Despite some limit success, the activist of the group made various contributions toward "the vote" and is considered the primary promoter of women's right to vote. Due to detailed proposals such as the "society plan" and the "Winning Plan", NAWSA was able to establish what they dedicated their lives to for more than 2 decades. The society plan enlisted college educated, privileged, and politically influential members (this idea allowed for advanced and broad ideas toward the Suffrage movement). The Winning Plan with the help of Carrie Chapman Catt led the final drive toward a federal amendment. The two plans, along with the support of World War I, persuaded President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) to support the Suffrage Movement. |
A legacy completed . . .
Ratified by Congress in June of 1919, the 19th Amendment was added to the United States of America Constitution on August 29, 1920, marking an end to a 72-year struggle.