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Seneca Falls Convention
In 1948, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first gathering devoted to the enhancement of women's rights. During the convention they drafted the Declarations of Sentiments, Grievances, and Resolutions, which focused on the goal of achieving equal rights. -
American Women Suffrage Association
Lucy Stone formed the American Women Suffrage Association because she believed that achieving womens suffrage would be more productive at the state level. The A.W.S.A. was larger than the N.W.S.A. and had better funding, however, it was only prominent at the regional level. -
End of the Civil War
On April 9, 1865 Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army at Appomattox Court House. Union victory was encouraging for women suffragettes because they had actively campaigned for the freedom of both blacks and women. The anti-slavery movement in America spurred the campaign for women to realize their own enslavement and the injustice women as well as blacks. -
Passage of the 14th Amendment
Union victory in the Civil War led many feminists to believe that equal rights for women was soon to follow. Despite their hardwork, the passage of the 14th Amendment granted citizenship to blacks and failed to mention equality for women. -
National Women Suffrage Association
In May 1960, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony formed the National Women Suffrage Association. Not only did they advocate for women's right to vote on a federal level, but they also advocated for equal employment and pay for women. The N.W.S.A. condemed the passage of the 15th Amendment because it failed to mention women. -
American Women Suffrage Association
Lucy Stone formed the American Women Suffrage Association because she believed that achieving womens suffrage would be more productive at the state level. The A.W.S.A. was larger than the N.W.S.A. and had better funding, however, it was only prominent at the regional level. -
Wyoming Territory Grants Womens Suffrage
On December 10, 1869 Wyoming was the first terrirory to grant women the right to vote. Men in Wyoming were encouraged to allow women suffrage for several reasons. Some genuinely cared about the interests of women, while others knew women would increase the number of consituents in conservative voting parties. Additionally, the men to women ratio was extremely wide. Allowing women to vote would encorage women to move west and start families. -
Passage of the 15th Amendment
Two years later, blacks were given the right to vote with the passage of the 15th Amendment. It stated that, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." -
Women's Suffrage Amendment Proposed
In 1878, the first women's suffrage amendment was proposed in the Senate. Unfortunately, the amendment failed to pass for legislation. Every year after 1878 womens suffrage was proposed until it was finally ratified in 1920 using the same wording that was originally used on the first proposed amendment. -
Senate Rejects Proposal
For the first time, the Senate hears arguements about allowing women's suffrage. The proposal fails and this is the last time the Senate will hear arguements for 25 years. -
National American Woman Suffrage Association
In May 1890, the N.W.S.A. and the A.W.S.A. joined together to become the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the first president from 1890-1892. Together they worked to achieve suffrage on a state-by-state basis. -
Colorado Ratifies Women's Suffrage
Women were granted the right to vote in Colorado. -
Idaho and Utah Pass Vote
Idaho and Utah vote to grant women the right to vote. -
Washington State Allows Women to Vote
Washington state grants women the right to vote on November 8, 1910. -
National Associaton Opposed to Woman Suffrage
In 1911, the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage was formed by Josephine Dodge. She believed that women's suffrage would decrease the ability of women to influence societal reform. -
Bull Moose Party
In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt runs for president under the Bull Moose Party (also called the Progressive Party) and supports women's suffrage. -
Nevada and Montana Pass Legislation
In 1914, the Nevada and Montana state legislatures passed bills to give women the right to vote. -
Jeannette Rankin First Woman in Congress
Jeannette Rankin is the first woman voted into a government office. She ran for one of two open seats in Congress as a representative for Montana. She won by a slime margin and was the only dissenting vote to go to war in both World War I and World War II. -
19th Amendment Ratified
After officially voting to pass the 19th Amendment in 1919, it was officially ratified on August 18, 1920. Unfortunately, Stanton and Anthony did not live long enough to excercise the right to vote after devoting their lives to the betterment of women. -
Leser vs. Garnett
Oscar Leser challenged the passage of the 19th Amendment citing that the Maryland state legislature had yet to ratify the federal amendment allowing women the right to vote. Since the Constitution of Maryland only allowed men suffrage, Leser argued that the 19th Amendment did not apply to the state of Maryland. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the passage of the 19th Amendment and the right of women to vote on February 27, 1922. -
Leser vs. Garnett
Oscar Leser challenged the passage of the 19th Amendment citing that the Maryland state legislature had yet to ratify the federal amendment allowing women the right to vote. Since the Constitution of Maryland only allowed men suffrage, Leser argued that the 19th Amendment did not apply to the state of Maryland. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the passage of the 19th Amendment and the right of women to vote on February 27, 1922.
