| The
Reading Selections:
This page of the workbook has two short selections by famous
19th century leaders in the women's rights movement.
Susan B. Anthony is the better known figure today, and
her image was recently used on a one dollar coin. The selection is
taken from a speech she gave after being arrested in Rochester, New York,
for voting in the 1872 election.
Amelia Bloomer is perhaps best known for giving her name
to "bloomers," an outfit consisting of a short skirt worn over loose cut
trousers tied at the ankles. The style was actually started by another
reformer to liberate women from the restrictive women's clothing of that
era. Amelia Bloomer wore the design long after others abandoned the
style, however, and her name stuck.
The
Picture:
Susan B. Anthony, one of the key leaders in the 19th century women's rights
movement. She made her home in Rochester, New York. The house
is now a museum about her life and work. |
|
Group
Discussion:
Susan B. Anthony argues that state
laws that allow only men to vote are unconstitutional and contrary to the
founding principles of the United States. She uses the phrases of
the Preamble of the Constitution ("We the People...") to show that women
were not excluded by those famous words.
The Constitution allows states to
set qualifications for voting, but Anthony declares that "it is a downright
mockery" to talk about liberty when women are denied the ballot.
Such disfranchisement, she says, "is a violation of the supreme law of
the land."
In fact, Anthony declares, denying
women the right to vote means the U.S. is not a democracy at all, but "the
most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe."
It is a harsh assessment, and certainly falls short of historical accuracy,
but probably captures the intense frustration she felt at the injustice
of her situation.
Amelia Bloomer's essay is less inflammatory,
although the point is the same. She knows that gender roles are set
by custom, which can be very rigid indeed. But she points out that
custom can change, and even look perfectly proper once people accept the
new
pattern. Her example is Elizabeth Blackwell, who became a medical
doctor at a time when that was thought improper for a woman.
Bloomer argues that women should
be allowed "wherever duty or interest may call her," including the voting
booth. Once they do start voting, Bloomer says, objections "will
vanish away." |