Feminism in the 19th century
In 1832, Maria W. Stewart was the first Black woman to speak officially to an audience of women and men, black and white. She continued to speak for a year, denouncing slavery in the southern states and alienation and discrimination in the northern states. At the same time, she invited black women to pursue an ideal of freedom.
Margaret Fuller was a feminist who fought for women’s education. During the 1840s she organized meetings where she discussed literature and philosophy with other women. A few years later, in 1845, Margaret Fuller published Woman in the Nineteenth Century. It was a book calling for civic equality and women’s empowerment. It also denounced the injustices of laws concerning property and unfairness in marriage. His book sold very well and made especially scandal.
On July 19 and 20, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention took place in the United States. It was the first convention on women’s rights in New York. The conclusion of this event was the creation of a list against male power.
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was an American feminist association that fought against alcohol consumption. It was created in 1874 and was quite important in the history of feminism. This association participated in the International Council of Women in 1893. Then in 1920 she also campaigned for women’s right to vote, and against prostitution.
The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs was formed in 1886. It is a merger of three associations: the National Federation of African-American Women, the National League of Colored Women and the Women’s Era Club of Boston. This association is one of the largest in the United States advocating for the rights of women of colour.
In 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed. Its main objective is the right to vote of women. This association was born during the progressive era, from 1890 to 1920. During this period the United States underwent social, economic, political and moral reforms.
