It is truly mind-boggling the way men undermine everything women do. The only reason they exist on this planet is because of us and yet they treat us like our existence is irrelevant. When reading One Hundred Years Towards Suffrage: An Overview, I couldn’t help to laugh at the buffoonery in the first statement. It reads, in 1776 a woman named Abigail Adams wrote a letter to John her husband who was attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia asking if he could remind the other men working on the Declaration of Independence to remember the women; he laughed at her. If I am not mistaken up to today the Declaration of independence states “all MEN are created equal.” The way our opinions and values are of zero worth to them heats up every drop of blood in my veins. Then they have the nerve to say feminists are men haters. “The Cult of Domesticity “is very interesting terminology to refer to men who perpetuate male dominance. It does reflect cult-like behavior, forcing your beliefs and opinions on all you encounter, specifically women. “Sarah Grimke begins her speaking career as an abolitionist and a women’s rights advocate. She is eventually silenced by male abolitionists who consider her public speaking a liability.” This here also seems like cult behavior. Why are they so afraid of the words of a woman, is it not because they are afraid, they will lose allies? On a happier note, learning that there is or was an all-women college which was founded by a woman named Mary Lyon, warms the heart. I also did not know about the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association (LFLRA) founded in 1844; why don’t they teach these things in school along with the rest of the U.S history. I remember learning about the first-ever male work unions, and I believe the history of the female work industry is just as important. Another example is when learning about what happened after the abolishment of slavery and all the African Americans that made a difference, why was Former slave Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech not included in the curriculum? I read her speech for one of my classes and it is something that should be included in a high school curriculum. She first talks about all the things men say women can’t do and continues to prove them wrong by talking about all the things she has encountered as a former slave. A line I appreciate from the speech is ” I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman?” she compares her tolerance for pain to a man and it is truly empowering. Women suffrage has been going on since 1776 and I am pretty sure way before that. The funny part is that we should not have to fight for basic human rights. The first set of condoms were available to women in 1859. And even if these items are available to women hospitals and male partners do not allow women access to these products. When I was in the 8^th grade, I watched Ironed Jawed Angels in school, and I remember a scene where a woman was surrounded by at least 10 kids because her husband did not want to use protection. Hell, it’s 2021 and we are still fighting for the rights of OUR bodies, just look at what’s going on in Texas with the rights to abortion. If you don’t have a Uterus, don’t have an opinion on any matter regarding it.

Watching The Untold Stories of Black Women in The Suffrage Movement was enlightening. I did not know about Ida B. Wells, but I am glad I got to learn about her today. She is an example to be reconned with starting the first black women suffrage movement and sorority that is still going strong today. She knew what she wanted, and she fought for it. I can imagine the bravery it took to walk in the front of a suffrage march back in the 19th century when African Americans were incredibly segregated. Erika Jimenez’s post really highlighted what the collective of women during the 100 years of suffrage really fought for and the passion they fought with, it’s because of women like Ida B. Wells and Susan B. Anthony, we can vote today.

Feminists have started ravaging and rallying for equality in a long time but it became more relevant and widespread in the 1820’s or the 19th and 20th centuries. Looking for ways to reduce discrimination on sex basis they seeked for reforms which weren’t given to them on a silver platter. Leading this reforms by then was Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott whom relentlessly continued their fight for equality and suffrage until it was granted after they held a conference and got on board a lot of women to help them voice out their concern. Their leadership was firm and strict as they were able to seize an opportunity that presented itself in the 14th amendment of the constitution which was solely meant to allow all male citizens regardless your color the right to vote, during this and the 15th century they seized the opportunity and even to that extent aligned themselves with some racists up south so as to reason that their votes as white women can exchange that of the votes of black males.

Things became quite intense as they kept pressing for equality and the right to vote and have a say in leadership especially that of their own country, to avoid any form of retaliation and after careful reasoning they were granted what they always wished for. In the 19th amendment of the constitution, women were then given the right to cast their vote and elect leaders of choice and over eight million votes were recorded. What has come today that we have women holding political offices, having a say in the government and top of them all having the power to vote started way back in the 19th century. It’s a step forward because no one should be sidelined and cast out of the political scene purposely because the person is a woman neither should it be on races because it’s important that everyone who is a citizen has every right to have a say about who governs him or her.

In view of this, Women became more empowered to which extent Alice Paul founded the National Women’s Party to help raise the standards as well, other states in the 1910’s and some west states begin extending their votes to bring women to office where Idaho and Utah already gave women the right to fully vote by the end of the 19th century. Women then fought over the years for equal representation and started contesting for public offices to which extent not only can they vote but a Vice President have been elected out of their toil. Women as such have achieved a great feet which of course didn’t spring out of no where but as a result of competence and the fight for justice and equality. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the urge and need to achieve equality by any means necessary, now it has become reality, to give women the right to vote and hold public offices as a result have transformed and aided in the growth of the country.

This week’s documentary and the article “The Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement” and “One Hundred Years Towards Suffrage: An Overview” by E. Susan Barber were both educating and enlightening to watch and read. The video explains the struggle black women/slaves had to go through in a world where men are seen as the head. The timeline provided us with information about the changes and development that activists/women made starting from 1776-1923. They also explain how African American women fought to gain their freedom and rights in society. The timeline explains and gives us a sense of what women activists did to make sure that everyone had the same equal right in society. Taking Abigail Adams as an example, she wrote to her husband John, who is attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, asking that he and the other men–who were at work on the Declaration of Independence–“Remember the Ladies.” John responds with humor. The Declaration’s wording specifies that “all men are created equal.” Abigail Adams knowing, she was married to an influential man used that opportunity to make sure that women were included in the Declaration of Independence.  

The documentary “Untold stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement” talks about the suffering & oppression black women went through and how they were treated by people. The documentary centered on the story of Ida B. Wells who was a leader in the civil rights movement, and she was also born into slavery. Ida B. Wells was an African American journalist & educator. She was the co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She fought for the equality of African Americans, especially women. According to the documentary “The Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement, Women had fewer rights to do what they want, had no right to vote, and were considered less important in society unlike men. My classmate Fawzina Zack posted an image that also talked about these and the image quotes “Equality for women, votes for women, and give us the vote now.” women had to fight for everything to belong. Men were granted the right to vote and were allowed to hold higher positions more than African American women. Due to fear, intimidation, and later Jim crows’ laws, women could not exercise their right to vote. 

According to Ida B. Wells, African American women were intimidated and oppressed by white people, and she explained this through her publications, “Southern Horror: Lynch law in all its phases” which draws attention to the horrors of lynching. “Lynching was a barbaric practice of white in the south used to intimidate and oppress African Americans who created political competition. The documentary conveys and relays the conflict between radicals and conservatives, and male domination & women’s rights. Alongside Ida B. Wells were Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. They fought to end slavery and partly ownership of women. Susan B. Anthony said, “I will cut off this right arm of mine before I will ever work or demand the ballot for the Negro and not the women.” She also said that women deceive to vote more than black men. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton also fought to eliminate discrimination on basis of gender. And according to the article “One Hundred Years Towards Suffrage: An Overview” by E. Susan Barber, they both “Formed the American Equal Rights Association, an organization for white & black women and men dedicated to the goal of universal suffrage. 

Even though the activists have worked to equalize voting, we somehow still struggle about it today. The discussions of women’s suffrage help us understand the reasons behind the movement and understanding our history helps us see what we can do for our future.

The systems in place to perpetuate oppression are long-standing. They have been built into the foundation of our culture and are handed down during the socialization process. In order for American culture to maintain the status quo, any challenges to this system are met with violent rebuke. As saw in One Hundred Years toward Suffrage, Abigail Adams requested that women be considered during the creating of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. However, the 19th Amendment was not passed until 1920. I think it’s important to also note that in 1923, the Nationals Woman’s Party proposed another amendment to eliminate discrimination on the basis of gender and it was never ratified. 

It just simply doesn’t serve our system, primarily built on patriarchy, to give women an equal set at the table. But what really stood out to me, as yet another link in the chain of oppression, was that black women were still required to march at the back of the line. Susan B Anthony, a pillar to the suffrage movement, was quoted saying “ I will cut off this right arm of mine before I will ever work or demand the ballot for the Negro and not the woman.” Even at a time when every voice available was needed to protest, it came down to White women first. 

In Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement, we saw that Ida B Wells wouldn’t stand for this and that she ran to the front of the line to be seen and heard with the other while participants. Additionally, she was willing to stand up to leaders of the civil rights movement who did not support the suffrage movement. My classmate, Hanna Nichols, posted an image of a quote written by Anna Julia Cooper. I think it really encompasses the suffrage movement as a whole and speaks to the issue we see in movements where the protestors group themselves by racial identity. In order for us to see progress on issues like this, we have to form a united voice.

Judge Anita Crawford said, “we have not broken the glass ceiling” when referring to the ongoing struggle for gender equality. We previously learned that any form of activism does not garner immediate results and generally requires a long-term commitment to the cause. As mentioned above, the woman’s suffrage movement lasted for an entire century and I believe that we will eventually see additional changes to the system. We saw how beneficial publications were to the suffrage movement and I think social media and other forms of technology have demonstrated how powerful they can be as tools to spread our ideas and bridge the gap of distance between supporters. I remember how quickly the Black Lives Matter movement spread and how the creators were able to organize demonstrations across the U.S.

I was able to attend a protest that marched from the city and across the Brooklyn bridge. It felt incredible to know that I was somehow contributing to a solution, even if it was just by being there in person. I pray that it’s not another 100 years before we will see the tides of change and am eager to see how the opposition for oppression evolves with time.

This week we began with the topic of historical perspectives. This topic was introduced with one timeline and a short video. This week’s timeline reading is called “100 Years toward Suffrage: An Overview” by E. Susan Barber and watching the short Youtube video “Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement.” The timeline provided new information about the changes women faced throughout the years starting from 1776. The video also provided information on women I did not know before. Both provided powerful messages that have happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

The timeline reading “100 Years toward Suffrage: An Overview” by E. Susan Barber is a timeline from so early as 1776 and ends in the year 1923. I actually really liked this timeline, it was to the point and simple to understand. The reading begins by talking about Abigail Adams. My first reaction was “who? I continue reading it says, “Abigail Adams writes to her husband, John, who is attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, asking that he and the other men–who were at work on the Declaration of Independence–“Remember the Ladies.” John responds with humor. The Declaration’s wording specifies that “all men are created equal.” I was still a bit confused so I googled her name and the first thing I saw was, “Abigail Adams was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams.” It was then when I understood what the timeline was saying. Abigail told one of the most influential people to write the declaration of independence to include everyone. And today everyone knows the famous phrase “All men are created equal.” The phrase was used to unite the colonies together, but only united the men of the colonies. It was very shocking that her wife just disregards Abigail and thought little of women. I’m assuming because of this Abigail became known as one of the first advocates for women’s equality. I think it’s great that our advocacy started so high up one of the first ladies. As the years go on we slowly see more women bringing attention to women’s equality. They spoke through poetry, sermons, and created education reform. Another thing that stood out to me was the year 1876 to 1879 it says, “Lawyer Belva Ann Lockwood is denied permission to practice before the Supreme Court. She spends three years pushing through legislation that enables women to practice before the Court and becomes the first woman to do so in 1879.” Again I did not recognize the name but what she did is inspiring. She created a huge change. She fought for a position that people would say is a “male job,” She made people recognize women are able to do the same jobs as men AND perform the duties the same or even better.

I watched the Youtube video “Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement” and it was very educational to see the women empowerment with black women while also fighting their discrimination for their race. What I noticed is the timeline we read about facts and changes that happened over time, while in the video we felt more of the emotion. We heard what these women went through, their suffering, and how the inequality impacted the community. As women, we do face inequality but to be a black woman I can’t imagine how women must have felt in the 1800s and 1900s. You have everyone against you as a black woman. I think it’s empowering that the women joined together and created safe spaces. These organizations are, “Headquarters for colored women voters,” “NACW” and the “Alpha Chapter.” In addition, in my classmates’ snapshot, Isabella Celentano shows a picture that says, “girls just wanna have fun-damental human rights.” I liked the message, “girls” are more than delicate, housewives, and like to party. Women are passionate, smart, and driven and deserve all basic human rights as men.

In reading the timeline “One Hundred Years toward Suffrage: An Overview” it was very inspiring to me because it consisted of a series of events that made up many years of different women in history who advocated and strived for women’s rights, freedoms and equality. The fact that these women, especially black women would be denied and rejected by the public from voting, owning land, getting a higher education and other opportunities that were mainly available and open to white men because of the inequality between the two sexes. Women eventually were able to make their mark during the nineteenth century. It is important to understand that the way women fought to get their voices heard and stand up for the female community as a whole was done by forming speeches and campaigns, creating reform movements and marches and even signing petitions which has made an strong impact on the lives of the future generation of women in reaching their goals. 

One of the events on the timeline that caught my attention the most was in 1859 “The successful vulcanization of rubber provides women with reliable condoms for the first time. The birth rate in the United States continues its downward, century-long spiral. By the late 1900s, women will raise an average of only two to three children, in contrast to the five or six children they raised at the beginning of the century” (Prints and Photographs Reading Room, Library of Congress). I feel like this is a good contraceptive alternative during this time to prove to society and political views that this helps women have better control over their own health and body for birth control and protection from sexually transmitted diseases. At some point the US Congress prohibited the sale and use of birth control however, two female activists Katherine McCormick and Margaret Sanger contributed to advocate for improving women’s lives to have control of their own bodies that gave rise to women reproductive rights in contrast to that of voting rights. 

In the video Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement it portrayed empowering and influential female figures who became strong leaders, activists and suffragists during the women’s suffrage and the civil rights era. One of these females was a white woman named Susan B. Anthony who fought to abolish slavery and to obtain property ownership of women. Another female was a black woman named Ida B Wells, who was born into slavery but freed by the emancipation proclamation. Ida fought for equality and rights for African Americans especially women. Anna Julia Cooper was also a black woman who was born a slave however was educated, eventually earning her PhD and inspiring other black women that education was the key in uplifting their race. Black women have been thriving by being a part of all professions even creating their own businesses even through times where similar issues facing their race may continue to linger. 

These women, especially black women, fought endlessly for the right to vote during a time where not only sexism was an issue but also racism which discriminated and segregated against many African Americans during the late 19th century. Women in general really came a long way since life was a lot different just 100 years ago, where the lives of women were more complicated and limited than the roles of women in today’s society. 

Fawzina’s snapshot showed a clear representation of the facial expressions from the women during the suffrage movement as they looked fed up and unhappy while reinforcing and demanding for women’s rights. Women wanted to be valued and respected so they can achieve fundamental human rights being able to be as legal and equal as men. As a female I want to create a productive and successful life for myself because I cannot take for granted all the hard work and dedication women had in fulfilling their dreams.