Happy 200th Birthday–November 12, 205–
to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, author of the Declaration of Sentiments, modeled on the Declaration of Independence an presented at the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention, 7/19-20, 1848: It began with: “All men and women are created equal” and end with: “Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of one-third the people of this country, their social and religious degradation—in view of the unjust laws above mentioned, and because women do feel themselves aggrieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate admission to all the rights and privileges which belong to them as citizens of these United States. In entering upon the great work before us, we anticipate no small amount of misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule; but we shall use every instrumentality within our power to effect our object. We shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the State and national Legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the pulpit and the press in our behalf. We hope this Convention will be followed by a series of Conventions, embracing every part of the country.”