Susan B Anthony's Life and Accomplishments

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Achieving equality between men and women was a long and arduous task. In the 19th century, an organized women’s rights movement began in the United States. Perhaps its most famous leader was Susan B. Anthony, a champion of women’s rights until her death in 1906. Susan B. Anthony’s work established and inspired the institution of many women’s rights, and she remains one of the most influential women in history.

Anthony was born in 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts (Lutz). Her father owned a cotton mill and, along with his wife, devoutly practiced Quaker faith (Lutz). Anthony’s upbringing in Quaker religion instilled in her strong values. Religion taught her that men and women were equal before God, which heavily influenced her later work as an activist (Lutz). The Quakers also prized hard work, charity, education, and righteousness, which shaped Anthony’s character and values.

Anthony began a private school education in Philadelphia at the age of 17 (Wise). Soon after beginning school, the United States experienced the Panic of 1837. This depression greatly damaged the financial stability of the Anthony family business, which eliminated funds for Anthony’s education and forced her withdrawal from school (Wise). After leaving school, she returned to the Anthony’s new home, located in New York (Lutz).

During this period of young adulthood, the values Anthony learned during childhood formed into opinions on current issues. Anthony believed in the equality of all people and fought against the racism and segregation of 19th century United States. After moving to New York, the Anthony family hosted regular abolitionist meetings for the local Quaker community at their new home (Lutz). Anthony was also involved in the tempe...

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