"The true woman will not be exponent of another, or allow another to be such for her. She will be her own individual self... Stand or fall by her own individual wisdom and strength... She will proclaim the ‘glad tidings of good news’ to all women, that woman equally with man was made for her own individual happiness, to develop... every talent given to her by God, in the great work of life.” – Susan B. Anthony
A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history’s most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors’ American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America’s most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.
During the last 100 years, Susan B. Anthony has been one ofthe most venerated women in American history, but in the 80 years before that, she was one of the most hated women in American history. Anthony took note of her contemporaries’ distaste for her but remained defiant, asserting, “I have encountered riotous mobs and have been hung in effigy, but my motto is: Men's rights are nothing more. Women's rights are nothing less.”
Today, of course, every American is taught about their nation’s most famous suffragist, who tirelessly advocated and lobbied for women to be granted the right to vote. Though it wouldn’t become legal until 14 years after Anthony’s death, Anthony took it upon herself to illegally vote in 1872, which initiated one of the late 19th century’s most famous political court cases. Anthony was able to publicize women’s plight and her cause even as she was subjected to a kangaroo court in which the judge ordered the jury to find her guilty, but she managed to embarrass authorities so much that they released her from jail instead of allowing her to appeal the conviction and continue to bring attention to her case.
Though Anthony is best remembered today for working towards women’s suffrage with other women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she was an active and progressive advocate for all of the leading human rights issues of her time. Anthony was an ardent abolitionist from day one, and she spent much of the first 40 years of her life championing the cause of African-Americans, even befriending men like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison along the way. She also championed “radical” ideas as 8 hour work days, minimum wage laws, and equal pay for women.
American Legends: The Life of Susan B. Anthony chronicles the life of America’s greatest human rights champion, examining her writings and her work across the political spectrum. Along with pictures, you will learn about Susan B. Anthony like you never have before, in no time at all.
