ChickSpeak

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I am so proud and blessed to be an American. Running the risk of sounding cliché, the United States truly is the land of opportunity. While watching the current events unfold in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, I am so glad I have the opportunity to pursue whatever I want and speak whatever might be on my mind.The Fourth of July is the most important day in our country’s history; after all, it’s the day we declared our independence. There are so many people to thank for giving us our independence, too, such as our Founding Fathers and the men and women that have served in the military. But as women, there are certain women we ought to give a special thanks to for helping with our independence and for creating milestones in our country’s history.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902)

Staton was one of the leading ladies in the early woman’s movement and the primary author of the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, a document that was based off the Declaration of Independence and is credited with starting the first organized woman’s rights movements in the United States. The document was presented at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 and created a foundation for achieving the civil, social, political and religious rights of women. Stanton’s stance was much wider than just women’s suffrage and included the need for many social and economic rights.

Lucretia Mott (1793-1880)

Mott is one of the first American feminist and, along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, organized the first Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls. She also assisted with writing the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments. After the Civil War ended, Mott was elected as the first president of the American Equal Rights Association.

Lucy Stone (1818-1893)

Stone became one of the first American women to receive a college degree when she graduated from Oberlin College in 1847 and is most recognized for her help in organizing the first National Women’s Rights Convention and creating the Woman’s National Loyal League and the American Woman Suffrage Association. Thanks to her influence and motivating speeches, Susan B. Anthony joined the women’s suffrage movement. Stone also made waves in the water by becoming the first woman to keep her own name after marriage.

Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906)

Thanks to her pivotal role in the women’s rights movement and women’s suffrage movement, Anthony became the first woman to be depicted on a United States coin. After meeting with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the two formed an amazing friendship and partnership. With Cady being married with children, Anthony took on the role of organizer and traveler, delivering 75 to 100 speeches per year for 45 years.

She helped found both the American Equal Rights Association and the National Woman Suffrage Association. In 1872, Anthony cast a test vote in the presidential election, claiming that the Constitution already allowed women to vote. She was found guilty and was told to pay a fine, yet she refused. Later in life, she collaborated with many great feminists of the time to write The History of Woman Suffrage.

Alice Paul (1885-1977)

Along with her esteemed friend Lucy Burns, the two became known as the Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony of the next generation of suffragists. After withdrawing from the National American Woman Suffrage Association, she helped form the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage, which eventually became National Woman’s Party in 1917. Paul is most strongly known for her militant ways and her hunger strikes, depicted in the now-famous film, Iron Jawed Angels.

Lucy Burns (1879-1966)

While Alice Paul was compared to the active Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Burns became the Elizabeth Cady Stanton of the next generation, always the more diplomatic one. Nevertheless, after arrested for picketing the White House, Burns, Paul and many others were arrested and sent to jail. During their time in jail, they participated in numerous hunger strikes.

Of all the suffragists, Lucy Burns spent the most time in jail and is said to have had five people to hold her down. Thanks to her, Paul and countless others, women received the right to vote on August 18, 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified.

These women are just a few of the women that gave women of the United States our freedom and independence. However, countless other women dedicated their lives for the liberties we have today.

While celebrating Independence Day, after taking time to thank our Founding Fathers, the men and women who were and are in the military, take a moment to thank the women who gave you the opportunity to stand up, make a change and vote. Be proud to be a female citizen of the United States of America.

Cassandra Zink graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is in love with all things media, has an addiction with iced green tea with mint, loves going to the beach and hopes to travel the world one day.