The Myth of Seneca Falls book recommended read by Vassar Talk on 19th Amendment

As part of the Vassar virtual reunion, talks were given on Saturday. I want to take notes to share... there was one on 19th Amendment. One advocate from history had advocated for 'free love' as was trying to get out from coveture laws that deemed a woman getting married coming under the rule of her husband legally and even rights to her body and their children.

With other groups and ideas contending for advocacy, the 1880s became a time of white women's suffrage (especially from white Southern support). Stanton and Anthony were trying not to include Black southern women. Frederick Douglas was disinvited and he obliged. They wrote a history of Women's Suffrage (and women's rights) which is still unfolding, according to Rebecca Edwards. There are broader issues everyone can consider, Ms. Edwards wanted people to consider. 

African American Professor Diane Harriford offered that black women have always been interested in freedom. She offers that is can be challenging for white and black women to work together in a patriarchal society. She offers that the topic of 'suffrage' was promoted by a free black woman in 1823. The first organization,

The Colored Women's League of Washington (DC) in 1829. The main movement in 1848 in Seneca Falls NY did not have blacks present other than Frederick Douglas.  Black women in the North in 1869 after the Civil War were wanting to do more.

The 15th Amendment freed Black men to vote, and in part that resulted in black women pulling back from their efforts. Then in the 1890s Colored Women societies were picking up. Some prominent abolishinist-minded families headed up efforts, including the first black woman to graduate from Oberlin College. There was a motto "Lifting While We Climb," setting standards and expecting more women to follow their suit.  Ida B. Wells were born in the South as opposed to women in the North who organized women's clubs.

She wrote about lynchings and for newspapers. She was seeking freedom and suffrage. Ida B. Wells was friends with women. She joined with a white women's march in 1913 even though they had not welcomed her to do so, joining in from the side (rather than joining at the back.)

With a lack of insight into the bigger factors, black women were not getting the vote as they had hoped. Only in 1965 did they get the legal right to vote. With voter suppression trends, many are not getting the full benefit of voting as black women.

Professor Miriam Cohen spoke about the role of Vassar in the suffrage efforts. There were other causes of interconnective issues, such as described by Dubois. Well-known suffragists from Vassar were described. Concerns facing immigrants excluded by women's clubs, African American women's clubs focused on many basic needs.

Activists pushed suffrage costs to provide women with political goals. At Vassar, President Taylor was at the helm from 1886 and did not want too many political issues on campus. In the early 20th century many students and groups were warming up to reform even though Taylor was not allowing promotion of suffrage. 

The Equality League of Self-supporting women had formed a partnership with others in 1904.  Milholland, a student leader, led a 'suffrage in the cemetery meeting' that was not allowed to be held on campus by Pres. Taylor. Rose Schneiderman played a prominent role in that meeting and in following advocacy for the shirt garment workers in 1910.

African American suffragists were late in being allowed to join many movements even in 1913. State by state suffrage efforts turned into a national platform that led to a the first national parade. That was held the day before Woodrow Wilson became President.  Inez Milholland was helping leading the parade on horseback and became a media sensation.

Thirty African Americans from Howard University wanted to march in the movement. Ida B. Wells wanted to defy having to march with the black group (separated by white male supporters) from the other marchers. There were conflicts linked to the privileges and looks of Milholland and overall there were delays of a decade or more to consider the concerns of the black women seeking the right to vote as well. 

Lucy Burns and five other Vassar alums were arrested for blocking traffic in another protest. They were jailed and then some held hunger strikes, but some were force fed. Those picketing the White House, the Capitol and LaFayette Park for wider causes. Eventually the Congress heard the 19th Amendment in 1919 and was passed in 1920.Many black men and women as well as Asian and Latino people could not get the rights without continued advocacy. 

In the Q and A, a request for a definition of Intersectionality was requested. There can be different definitions but the major point, offered by Diane Harriford, is that not all women come from the same background so may have different cultural and sociological needs and wants.

Consider race, gender, work and social experience, religious and personal interests. For instance rather than promoting women to have the right and need to work, some may want to be home-based or prioritizing childcare or other interests. The privileges may create bias or blindness. 

Miriam Cohen offers the idea of asking, "Is the problem I am facing due to my gender, my race, my age, my work, or religion or culture?" But there can be a mix of reasons and concerns. Similar to the Marches held after Trump was elected, many causes can surface and be part of the growing awareness and have 'many roots.'

The story that got women got the right to vote in 1920 is not complete. Black women got the vote with Civil Rights in 1965. 

Sojourner Truth was described with a book  by Nell Painter exploring her story. The fight for citizen rights and freedom by many black activists is being described by Martha Jones in her writing.B sooks suggested from each professor include a digitial presentation on Suffrage by Vassar this fall. The Library of Congress had an exhibit recently. Ellen Dubois is an author to look at as well on the suffrage cause. Wayward Lives speaks to freedom. A book called Ida is big but worthwhile. 

Domesticity and Respectability is the platform that most women from history (Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobsen is recommended) described by Rebecca Edwards who teaches a class about Sex and Reproductivity historically at Vassar.

Why was Seneca Falls NY selected as the main event location. Rochester NY was a hotbed of reform and Elizabeth Cady Stanton lived near there. Other important places in MA and other locations factored into the first efforts as well.