Early Efforts

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, seated, and Susan B. Anthony, standing

c. 1880-1902

Library of Congress

Lucy Stone was a lifelong reformer, fighting for both women’s and African American’s rights.  Stone, born in 1818, attended Oberlin College and upon graduating in 1847 she continued her fight for rights.  In 1855, despite being married herself, Stone wrote a protest on marriage.  In this protest, Stone focused on the lack of freedom the woman has within the marriage.  Stone believed “marriage should be an equal and permanent partnership” between two people and that their decisions should be made together.  

Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and a women’s right activist throughout her life.  She was born a slave in 1797, but in 1827 Truth ran away to the North.  In 1851, she delivered the speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” at a woman’s rights conference.  She was the only female speaker at this conference.  In her speech, Truth focused on the idea that, despite her race, she too was a woman and deserved to be treated as one.