We all know Susan B. Anthony. We’ve learned about her in school and the way she forever changed the world. Due to the recent political climate and Roe v. Wade being overturned in the United States I thought it prevalent to reiterate some of the things Susan B. Anthony did to help women gain their freedom that they are now seeing being taken away. So without further ado, 3 ways Susan B. Anthony effected change

Susan B. Anthony gave over 100 speeches on the women's suffrage movement. In her first speech Anthony, goes into her recent conviction and states that, “I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any state to deny.” After she addresses her conviction she starts dissecting the constitution, “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people - women as well as men.” (“Great Speeches Collection: Susan B. Anthony Speech - Women's Right to Vote”). In this, her presumed first speech, Anthony demonstrates her impressive spirit for women's rights. It is no wonder why she went on to give over 100 speeches on the women’s suffrage movement raising awareness for the movement. And inspiring millions of women to stand up for themselves including myself. Her bravery led others to be brave and stand up and shout when they were being silenced. However, not everyone agreed with her viewpoints on the subject and others spoke out against the suffrage movement, “One of the most important anti-suffragist activists was Josephine Jewell Dodge” (Schmidt). Much like Anthony, Dodge also created an organization for her cause, National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage. Dodge believed that women should not have the right to vote in contradiction to Anthony’s views. Surprisingly, Dodge wasn’t the only female who believed women didn’t deserve the right to vote. In an interaction with one of her audience members, Anthony responded resoundingly in opposition to Dodge’s views, “Do women really want the right to vote? ‘They do not oppose it'” (Schmidt). While yes, some women did oppose the suffrage movement Susan B. Anthony shot them down by denying that any women would not want the right to vote. As she herself thought the notion foolish. Susan B. Anthony not only wrote and gave multiple speeches on the women’s suffrage movement propelling it forward and raising awareness, she shut down those who supported the anti-suffrage movement.

Susan B. Anthony also voted before women were given the right to vote. In 1872, Anthony voted in Rochester, NY. “She was tried and fined $100 for her crime.” (Hayward). By voting in the 1872 election Anthony drew national attention to the suffrage movement. Although she did pay a price, the support generated for the suffrage movement was worth the price paid. After she went to trial, Anthony went on to give speeches in Ontario and Monroe Counties,  “ how can "the consent of the governed'' be given, if the right to vote be denied.” (“Susan B. Anthony Speech: Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?”). Through her vote, Susan B. Anthony reached hundreds of people, raising awareness of the unjust and cruel treatment of women worldwide. This also clarified that it was not the constitution preventing women from voting but the men who wrote it. Susan B. Anthony led by example and voted, leading to a massive surge of awareness of the gross mistreatment of women.

Susan B. Anthony also raised awareness by working with other suffragettes to raise awareness. Susan B. Anthony worked closely together to create the National Woman Suffrage Association and together they published and edited a newspaper, the Revolution. (“Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony ''). Anthony and Stanton working together did amazing things for the suffrage movement that they could not have accomplished alone. Susan B. Anthony also worked closely with Matilda Joslyn Gage, “In 1869, she co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.” (Wagner).  While Anthony and Stanton are widely known, Gage is not, which is a travesty because she contributed just as much as the other to women. But even though she is not a household name today, by working with Stanton and Anthony they were al able to spread awareness about the suffrage movement and change the world; giving women the rights they have today.

Susan B. Anthony fought her entire life for equal rights for all. I believe that despite the times she was born in she would be proud of us for the progress we have made towards equality but be appalled by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which set us back further in history. But she, and I as well, will remind you that for every movement there are setbacks. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a leap forward but no matter the challenges, change will always win, and we, and we alone, have the power to change, to affect history. You mustn’t give up no matter what everyone around you is yelling, scream back no. For when you stop screaming and back down, they win.

Do Not Let Them Win

Works Cited

“Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.” America's Library, americaslibrary.gov/aa/stanton/aa_stanton_friends_1.html. Accessed 29 November 2022.

“Great Speeches Collection: Susan B. Anthony Speech - Women's Right to Vote.” The History Place, historyplace.com/speeches/anthony.htm. Accessed 28 November 2022.

Hayward, Nancy. “Susan B. Anthony.” National Women's History Museum, 2018, womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/susan-b-anthony. Accessed 28 November 2022.

Schmidt, Samantha. “Anti-suffrage movement: Women who fought the vote and 19th Amendment.” The Washington Post, 9 August 2020, washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/history/anti-suffrage-women-vote-19-amendment/. Accessed 28 November 2022.

“Susan B. Anthony Speech: Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?” UMKC School of Law, law2.umkc.edu/faculty/PROJECTS/FTRIALS/anthony/anthonyaddress.html. Accessed 29 November 2022.

Wagner, Ella. “Matilda Joslyn Gage (U.S.” National Park Service, 29 November 2021, nps.gov/people/matilda-joslyn-gage.htm. Accessed 29 November 2022.