Women's significant efforts to fight for equality can be traced to the mid-1770s as America sauntered towards independence. However, real efforts can be traced to the 1800s when women sought to defy societal defined roles and join men in creating economic opportunities. The Seneca Falls Convention (1848) convened by Mott and Stanton was an unusual step by women campaigning for equality. During the Convention, "a Declaration of Sentiments" was adopted, which was "modeled after the Declaration of Independence" ( Rothenburg, 1987). Elizabeth Candy Stanton and the likes of Susan B. Antony helped realize the 13 th Amendment, which abolished slavery. On the education front, Emma Willard campaigned to have more women access education opportunities. In 1821, Willard’s Troy (NY) Female Seminary became the pioneer learning institution for women ( Rothenburg, 1987 ). It was, however the Susan B. Anthony Amendment (1878) gave shape to the push for gender equality by giving women the right to vote after it was enacted in 1919 ( DuBois, 1987 ). After failing to be passed, the Susan B. Anthony Amendment “would be introduced in Congress almost every year for the next 40 years” ( Rothenburg, 1987 ). The last significant campaign for equality was denoted by the Equal Rights Amendment (1972). The Amendment sought to strengthen women’s rights and interests ( DuBois, 1987 ).
I believe that the movement for equal rights by women helped shape the modern-day societal dynamics. Due to such campaigns, the society is more progressive since both men and women have equal opportunities. Societal development is no longer a preserve for men, but women also have a significant impact. McBride and Parry (2016) write, “women may work to develop their intellects and skills, to contribute to society and to achieve maturity and independence." The positive effect of such a movement thus motivated women from other parts of the world to take leadership roles. In America, women are competing for the same opportunities as men, which is a progressive society ( McBride & Parry, 2016 ). However, equality has not been achieved in totality, and the current push by feminists draws inspiration from the early efforts by the likes of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Candy Stanton.
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References
DuBois, E. C. (1987). Outgrowing the Compact of the Fathers: Equal Rights, Woman Suffrage, and the United States Constitution, 1820-1878. The Journal of American History , 74 (3), 836-862.
McBride, D. E., & Parry, J. A. (2016). Women's rights in the USA: Policy debates and gender roles . Routledge.
Rothenburg, T. (1987). The long battle for women's equality. Scholastic Update , 119 , 8-12.
