Elizabeth Cady Stanton
(1815-1902)
WHO SHE WAS:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a trailblazing figure in the early women's rights movement in the United States. An outspoken advocate for women's suffrage, Stanton's progressive ideas on women's legal and social equality made her a leading voice of her time. Her efforts, particularly in partnership with Susan B. Anthony, laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
WHAT SHE SAID:
"The best protection any woman can have... is courage."
WHY SHE MATTERED:
Stanton's significance lies in her tireless campaign for women's suffrage and equality. Her advocacy extended beyond voting rights to include women's parental and custody rights, property rights, employment and income rights, divorce, the economic health of the family, and birth control. She was a key figure in organizing the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, which served as the catalyst for the women's suffrage movement.