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The World Anti-Slavery Convention
The World Anti-Slavery Convention is held in London. Abolitionists Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton attend, but they are barred from participating in the meeting. This snub leads them to decide to hold a women's rights convention when they return to America. -
Seneca Falls Convention
Three hundred people attend the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. Among the attendees are Amelia Bloomer, Charlotte Woodward, and Frederick Douglas. Lucretia Mott's husband James presides. Stanton authors the Declaration of Sentiments, which sets the agenda for decades of women's activism. A larger meeting follows in Rochester. -
"Ain't I a Woman" - Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth delivers her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio. -
The Civil War
The Civil War. Suffrage efforts nearly come to a complete halt as women put their enfranchisement aside and pitch in for the war effort. -
The Eleventh National Women's Rights Convention
The Eleventh National Women's Rights Convention, the first since the beginning of the Civil War, is held in New York City. Lucretia Mott presides over a merger between suffragists and the American Anti-Slavery Association: the new group is called the American Equal Rights Association. -
The 14th Amendment Passed
The 14th amendment passes granted former slaves the right to vote. The amendment specifies the word “male” officially excluding women’s suffrage. Anthony and Stanton are outraged. Arguments lead to a split in the movement. -
National Woman Suffrage Association Formed
Stanton and Anthony form the National Woman Suffrage Association; it allows only female membership and advocates for woman suffrage above all other issues. Lucy Stone forms the American Woman Suffrage Association, which supports the Fifteenth Amendment and invites men to participate. -
15th Amendment Rafted
The Fifteenth Amendment is ratified. Although its gender-neutral language appears to grant women the vote, women who go to the polls to test the amendment are turned away. -
Women Granted Voting Rights
Women in the Washington territory are granted full voting rights. Prominent suffragists travel to Liverpool, where they form the International Council of Women. At this meeting, the leaders of the National and American associations work together, laying the foundation for a reconciliation between these two groups. -
National and American Associations Merge
The National and American associations merge to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Stanton becomes the new organization's first president.
