Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Advocate for Women's Rights

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On July 19,1848, in front of 300 women and 40 men, Elizabeth Cady Stanton delivered a speech on women’s rights; Proclaiming “Among the many questions which have been brought before the public, there is none that more vitally effects the whole human family than that which is technically termed Woman’s rights” (par.3). In her speech Stanton accurately displays her distinctive ability to influence public opinion by appropriating ideas from the Bible, establishing her credibility, appealing to the audience’s logic, and invoking the emotional aspects of women’s suffrage in this era.

Even before 1848, Stanton was exposed to the “legal barriers to women’s equality”, by her father who was a lawyer (Stanton Biography). “While still a child she heard her father tell abused women that they had no legal alternative but to endure mistreatment by their husbands and fathers”(Stanton Biography). In later years when Stanton married her husband, Henry B. Stanton, she had the traditional words of “obey” removed from their wedding vows (Stanton Biography). All of this set the solid foundation for which today has her known as one of the most important figures in the early movement to gain rights for women in the United States (Stanton Biography).

In fact, Stanton played on her ability to relate with the women and the universal position that they shared. Stanton said “The right is ours. Have it, we must. Use it, we will.”(par.) In this quote, Stanton emphasizes a sense of unity, which instills in women a sense of assurance that they are not alone and that together they can achieve what is rightfully theirs. Stanton further solidifies her credibility with them when stating “in the United States of America woman has no right to either hold office...

... middle of paper ...

...uard her sons” (par.21), this is her “scared duty” to protect her children from violence no matter where it may come from (par.32).

Works Cited

University of New Jersey. "Address by Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Woman's Rights, Page 1: Stanton and Anthony Papers Online." Home Page: Stanton and Anthony Papers Online. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"Elizabeth Cady Stanton Biography - Life, Family, Children, Name, Story, History, Wife, School, Mother, Young." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. .

Lewis, Jone Johnson. "Seneca Falls -- About the Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention - 1848." Women's History - Comprehensive Women's History Research Guide. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. .

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