Women's Rights: Seneca Falls 1848
In the early 1800's, women in the U.S had few rights they enjoyed as men had dominated everything. The women believed that time had come for them to go out and do what they want without control of men. The Seneca convention provided a room for women to meet and speak in one voice. The Seneca Falls Convention was held in New York City, and its primary focus was women rights. The convention discussed the issues women for two days in 1848 1 . It attracted massive attention and led to other women conventions being organized such as Rochester woman’s convention 2 . The women right movement was born during Seneca convention. Elizabeth Candy Stanton and female Quakers, the local women from the area, organized to meet with Lucretia Mott who was famous for her eloquent ability. In this period, women were not permitted to air their voice in public, but Mott managed to go above this block and continued to push for rights of women. The convention was organized for two days, and it included six sessions where the law issue was discussed relating to women’s right to vote and dialogue on the significance of women’s role in the community. Stanton and Mott prepared the declaration of sentiment that contained the rights of women’s and a list of resolution that was to be debated in the convention before were presented for signatures. The debate about women’s right to vote took the center -stage in the meeting with one group supporting the right to vote for women while the other opposing.
The first day of the convention was divided into three sessions; the first session was organized in the morning. Candy Stanton was the first to speak, and she encouraged women to take the responsibility of their lives and stop expecting men to fight for them. She challenged women to understand the length of their degradation so that they can make full responsibility for their affairs. Mott took the stage next and encouraged women to stand up for their rights. Stanton read the declaration of sentiment to people so that they could understand it and make changes. During this session, women decided to incorporate the men’s signature in the statement 3 (Mani 2007) . They suspended signing until the second day of convention where they expected more men to attend. The second session commenced in the afternoon with the aim of going through the declaration of sentiments so that more changes could be made. Stanton and Mott seemed to be leading the whole convention. They addressed people regularly and gave direction on how to go about the changes of the declaration. In the afternoon session, the addition of women suffrage was added to the original resolution of sentiment. Mott gave a speech of one of its kind asking men who had attended the convention to help the women to achieve their rights. Mott talked about other reforms that had been initiated and how best are working toward ensuring that women gain their freedom.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The second day of the convention was attended by many people including men who also were given time to contribute on issues of women rights. The second day had three sessions. The first session was chaired by James Mott. Stanton presented the proceedings of the first day and read the agreement that had been made on the first day. Fredrick Douglass, Thomas, and Mary gave their view on the women’s right. The declaration of the sentiments looked more of the statement of independence, and it had views from women supporting that men and women were created equally and they had rights to liberty, right to life, right to go after their happiness 4 (Faulkner 2007) . Therefore, they wanted the government to take caution in ensuring those right was assured. The document was supported by a majority of the people who attended and consequently it was adopted. The issue of how men will put their signature pops up, and there was a suggestion that two sections be created, one for men and the other one for women. The proposal was approved, and thirty-two men put the signature across the document, and sixty-eight women also put their signature across the document.
In the afternoon session of the second day, the eleven proposals were again brought on the table, and each decided on independently through voting. The only one that brought a hot debate was the 9th one which was about women voting rights. Many opposed the resolution, although there existed few individuals who were for it. The resolution had been added by Stanton, and it stated: “Resolved, that it is the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves their sacred right to elective franchise.” 5 The ones who were not for this proposal reasoned that appraising this specific resolution would develop lack of support for other more rational resolutions. Other opponents reasoned that political rights of women weren’t supposed to be discussed but only their civil, social and religious rights 6 (Wellman 2009) . Lucretia Mott and James were some of the attendants who fiercely opposed the resolution. Scranton tried to defend the idea of women suffrage, arguing that the acceptance of the resolution would empower women in making a difference in the upcoming law and increase their privileges. Frederick Douglas, the only Black in the conference articulately spoke in support of the voting rights of women. He argued that the globe would change to become a nicer dwelling for all if women were engaged in government matters. Douglas’ words carried the rest of the day; "In this denial of the right to participate in government, not merely the degradation of woman and the perpetuation of a great injustice happens, but the maiming and repudiation of one-half of the moral and intellectual power of the government of the world” 7 . His words were supported by a massive number of those in attendance, and the resolution passed with weak opposition. Lucretia Mott spoke as the last person, and the meeting concluded.
The evening session began precisely at half past seven, chaired by Thomas M’Clintock. The first official activity to be carried out was the reading of the minutes. After that, Stanton stood to talk about the protection of the numerous serious allegations raised against “the much-abused Lord of Creation.” “Thomas M’Clintock” stood after Stanton and presented some information from “Sir William Blackstone’s laws” to reveal to the listeners the source of female’s prevailing lawful situation of enslavement to the male. Lucretia came up to propose the twelfth resolution; "Resolved, That the speedy success of our cause depends upon the zealous and untiring efforts of both men and women, for the overthrow of the monopoly of the pulpit, and for the securing to woman an equal participation with men in the various trades, professions, and commerce” 8 . The proposal was accepted without much debate 9 . Mary Ann M’Clintock, Jr was given a chance to speak and gave words to encourage woman. She told them to stand and “arouse from her lethargy and be true to herself and her God.” Once more, Douglass stood to back the resolution connected to female’s rights. The last to talk on official matters was Lucretia Mott, who applied her most “beautiful and spiritual appeals.” Her speech drew the concentration of all the listeners, but “Mary Ann M’Clintock and Elizabeth Candy Stanton” were described as the architects and engineers of the convection. The meeting was ended by an appointment of a committee that would take care of editing and publishing of the proceedings of the convection.
The declaration of sentiment signed during the convention was the turning point for women rights and freedom. Seneca convention played a significant role in rights of women we see today. It created a framework that helped the women to champion their rights. After Seneca convention, many more meeting for women were organized and pushed further for more rights. The national women convention started to be held every year after the Seneca convention. This created a focus for growing women’s power which is believed to lead to the adoption of the 19th amendment which allowed women right to vote. In conclusion, it is evident that Seneca convention played a significant role in championing the right of women not only in the U.S but also in rest of the world. Even though equality has not been fully realized between men and women, the current trend is positive. Women should continue fighting for justice in workplaces and political fields. Women have now achieved most of their rights, but discrimination has not yet ceased. There is still need for women like Mott to take the responsibility of championing for equality in all spheres of life.
Bibliography
Faulkner, Carol. 2007. Lucretia Mott's Heresy. Philadelphia. ISBN 978-0-8122-4321-5. University of Pennsylvania Press. .
Mani, Bonnie G. 2007. Women, Power, and Political Change. ISBN 0-7391-1890-0. Lexington Books.
McMillen, Sally Gregory. 2008. Seneca Falls and the origins of the women's rights movement. ISBN 0-19-518265-0. Oxford University Press.
Project, Worcester Women's History. 2009. "Why Commemorate the 1850 Woman's Rights convention?, ."
Wellman, Judith. 2009. " The Seneca Falls Convention: Setting the National Stage for Women's Suffrage,."
1 McMillen, Sally Gregory. 2008. Seneca Falls and the origins of the women's rights movement. ISBN 0-19-518265-0. Oxford University Press.
2 McMillen, Sally Gregory. 2008. Seneca Falls and the origins of the women's rights movement. ISBN 0-19-518265-0. Oxford University Press.
3 Mani, Bonnie G. 2007. Women, Power, and Political Change. ISBN 0-7391-1890-0. Lexington Books.
4 Faulkner, Carol. 2007. Lucretia Mott's Heresy. Philadelphia. ISBN 978-0-8122-4321-5. University of Pennsylvania Press. .
5 McMillen, Sally Gregory. 2008. Seneca Falls and the origins of the women's rights movement. ISBN 0-19-518265-0. Oxford University Press.
6 Wellman, Judith. 2009. " The Seneca Falls Convention: Setting the National Stage for Women's Suffrage,."
7 Project, Worcester Women's History. 2009. "Why Commemorate the 1850 Woman's Rights convention?, ."
8 Mani, Bonnie G. 2007. Women, Power, and Political Change. ISBN 0-7391-1890-0. Lexington Books.
9 Project, Worcester Women's History. 2009. "Why Commemorate the 1850 Woman's Rights convention?, ."
