Feminism is not
new nor has it changed. We hope it grows stronger until women and men are judged by their talents, morals and abilities, not the number of x chromosomes.
When Thomas Paine argued the natural rights
of man (The Rights of Man) versus the Edmond Burke’s critique of the anarchy of the French
Revolution (Reflections on the Revolution in France), neither man included any humans with paired X chromosomes for
consideration of inalienable rights. A
women of the time received rights through her association with a man.
Mary Wollstonecraft
(a female) had published in England, A Vindicationof the Rights of Men two years prior to Paine’s publication, making her the
groundbreaking philosopher in the field of men’s rights. She became the leading
feminist theorist when in 1792 she published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. If we ignore world leaders
like Nefertiti, Cleopatra, and Joan of Arc,
then this is a wonderful date to establish as the beginning of feminism in the
world. Mary Wollstonecraft did and said what she thought, without bowing to any man’s opinion.
Sidebar – Mary Wollstonecraft’s
writing ability was passed to her daughter - Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley – who wrote
Frankenstein, the classic novel of a
male monster composed of pieces of unwanted men parts. Continuing the feminist attitude of the family?
Probably not, but a political statement, none the less, concerning modern
science and tinkering with God’s plan.
The idea of a Women’s Rights Convention was initiated at the
1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention held in London. Although the men at the
convention did not want slavery, they did not want to let female delegates onto the
floor or in debate even more. Both Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott were excluded from debating or participating in any way other than being
present near the convention floor. By not allowing them to participate, an
incredible waste of intelligence happened.
And they pissed off
two women who can think for themselves. From their mistreatment at the
Convention in London, the First Women’s Rights Convention was born.
Radical Feminism is dated back to The First Women’s Rights Convention of 1848 at Seneca Falls New York. This meeting was lead
by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott and supported by several
active Quaker women. At this meeting, and the subsequent one, two-weeks later
at the Rochester Women’s Rights Convention the ideals of the Declaration of Sentiments
(a women’s Bill of Rights) and other resolutions were debated and put forward
for signature.
Mott argued
against inclusion of a woman’s right to vote in this resolution – probably for
political reasons, too radical – while Frederick Douglass, the only African American attendee, argued articulately and
powerfully for its inclusion. Douglass’ group won out and it was kept in the
final document. Of note, 100 out of the 300 people attending the Seneca Convention
signed the document – reportedly mainly women (68 to 32).
Sidebar – the abolition
of slavery was also debated at this meeting.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott both continued to argue and demonstrate for women’s
rights relentlessly. America stood stolid against their efforts, but they were
determined and their idealism, encouraged others to take up the banner. Slavery
was abolished for over fifty-five years before women received the right to
vote; how ironic is that.
After Stanton and
Mott began the movement, America was no longer just for white men over 21 years
old.
-- L.A. Preschel
