The Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was organized in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth and Mary Ann McClintock. The convention was the first women's rights convention in US history. The women selected the United States Declaration of Independence as a model for their Declaration of Sentiments.
The convention took place at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York, on July 19-20, 1848. About 300 people went, and the event was chaired by Mott's husband James. Mott, Stanton, and the McClintocks spoke to the assembly. After that, Stanton proceeded to read the Declaration of Sentiments, which began with "when in the course of human events," and declared "men and women are created equal". The eighteen grievances were listed after, which included the lack of vote, right to wages, and equal custody of children. After the assembly passed the declaration, they also adopted twelve resolutions, the ninth for the right to vote barely passed. At the end of the convention, 68 women and 32 men signed it.
After the convention, women faced criticism from the press. One editorial thought it was " the most shocking and unnatural incident ever recorded in the history of womanity". The negative press caused many of the 100 people to erase their names.
The second convention was held two weeks later at Rochester, NY. After 18 months, news spread of the Seneca Falls Convention, so more were prepared in various states. These states included Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
With the program and leadership established, the women's movement in the United States had definitely begun.
After the convention, women faced criticism from the press. One editorial thought it was " the most shocking and unnatural incident ever recorded in the history of womanity". The negative press caused many of the 100 people to erase their names.
The second convention was held two weeks later at Rochester, NY. After 18 months, news spread of the Seneca Falls Convention, so more were prepared in various states. These states included Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
With the program and leadership established, the women's movement in the United States had definitely begun.