In 1848, 300 women and men, including Frederick
Douglass, gathered in Seneca Falls, New York to sign the Declaration of
Sentiments, a document regarding the end of discrimination against women in
every aspect of society. Colonial law was based on English common law that
merged man and woman into one individual upon marriage and women had no legal
standing separate and apart over her property or finances. By 1777, women had
lost the right to vote in every state.
The road to the August 26, 1920 ratification of
the Nineteenth Amendment was a long, difficult and circuitous one. It is best
traced at sites in the state of New York and includes women of all ethnicities.
It declares, “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 sex.”(www.iloveny.com).
Women’s Rights National History Park Visitors
Center
Many of the people involved in the women’s
rights movement were previously staunch abolitionists and civil rights
advocates. At the conclusion of the Civil War and the 1870 passage of the 15th
Amendment declaring, “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,” many women felt let down by
their exclusion and began to protest vehemently for women’s rights. They used
the organizational, fundraising and speaking skills learned as abolitionists.
It should be noted that as early as 1776,
Abigail Adams wrote to John Adams during Philadelphia’s Continental Congress
to, “Remember the Ladies.” In 1851, former slave Sojourner Truth, speaking at
an Ohio women’s rights convention, gave her famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech. (www.sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/sojtruth-woman).
In the 1830s, abolitionist organizations and
the Underground Railroad were prevalent in Syracuse in Onondaga County. More
than 650 African-Americans lived in the county. Along with their White
counterparts, they actively spirited people to Canada. (www.pacny.net/freedom_trail).
The museum of the Onondaga Historical
Association has an outstanding, interactive exhibit on the UGRR that introduces
visitors to the personal stories through artifacts, exhibits and video. An
exhibit on the 1851 Jerry Rescue relates the story of the rescue of fugitive
William “Jerry” Henry from slave catchers by a crowd of citizens.
Women’s Rights National History Park Visitors
Center interior
The Jerry Rescue Monument on Clinton Square is
a life-sized bronze depiction of the incident. It faces north toward Canada
where Henry made his eventual escape. The history of the Native American inhabitants and their
influence on the nation is also depicted in a permanent exhibit. (www.cnyhistory.org).
Matilda Joslyn Gage is the unsung hero of the
women’s rights movement. Her father was an abolitionist and her home was an
UGRR station. Her stance on the rights of women was modeled on her close
interactions with the matriarchal Haudenosaunee Indians living in the area.
Ultimately, she was considered too radical for Stanton and Anthony.
A 15-minute film introduces a self-guided tour.
Each room on the tour is based on one of her social justice themes. The front
parlor is dedicated to the works of her son-in-law, Frank Baum, author of “the
Wizard of Oz.” We can see her influence on the character of Dorothy. Her home
is included on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. (www.matildajoslyngage.org).
Ganandagon nomination belt
Ganondagan, State Historic Park, is the
state-of-the-art home of the Seneca Art and Culture Center situated on the site
where the Seneca and Haudenosaunee established the “Town of Peace.” Visitors
can explore a replica Bark Longhouse, self-guided trails, videos and a unique
museum.
The museum interprets the story of the six
nation Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and
Tuscarora, that inspired the Constitution and the 1848 Declaration of
Sentiments. Their symbol, bundled arrows stronger than one, is depicted on the
Great Seal of the United States. (www.ganondagan.org).
Seneca Falls is renowned as the cradle of
women’s rights. The first convention was organized by abolitionists Elizabeth
C. Stanton and Philadelphia’s Lucretia Mott and held there in 1848 at the
Wesleyan Chapel. Stanton lived in Seneca Falls along with her husband and seven
children and her house is open daily. (www.senecafalls.com).
Women’s Rights National Historical Park is
adjacent to the chapel and is an ideal place to begin a tour. An orientation
film, “Dreams of Equality” and an exhibit gallery enhance your visit. Also, on
display is memorabilia from “12 Years a Slave.” The lobby’s bronze “First Wave”
sculpture consists of life-sized figures of some of those in attendance at the
first convention including Douglass.
The National Women’s Hall of Fame was founded
in 1969. Since that time 276 women in
the arts, athletics, business, education, government, humanities and
philanthropy have been inducted. The NWHF will be moving to the 1844 Seneca
Knitting Mill because a larger space is needed. I encourage you to visit their
website where you can view photographs, learn the stories and hear their
voices. (www.womenofthehall.org).
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is one of world’s
favorite movies. It is believed that
Frank Capra, after visiting Seneca Falls, modeled the mythical Bedford Falls
after the city. The “It’s a Wonderful Life Museum” is filled with memorabilia,
photographs, toys and documents that relate to the stars, their characters and
the movie. The tragedy of Antonio Varacalli probably inspired George’s scene on
the bridge and you can learn the true story here. (www.therealbedfordfalls.com).
The Susan B. Anthony House & Museum is
located in Rochester.
She lived in this 12-room brick house from
1866-1906. Tours of the house include her 3rd-floor workroom and the room in
which she died in 1906. Ida Wells-Barnett was known to stay there when in
Rochester. Anthony is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. (www.susanbanthonyhouse.org).
The boutique Gould Hotel is newly renovated and
offers luxurious accommodations, exemplary service, an on-site restaurant, free
parking and complimentary WIFI. Best of all, it is located in the heart of
Seneca Falls and within walking distance of the major sites. (www.thegouldhotel.com).
For current research on African-American women
leaders in the suffrage movement, go to www.suffragistmemorial.org/african-american-women-leaders-in-the-suffrage-movement.
