Susan B. Anthony

NAME: Susan B. Anthony. Susan B. Anthony didn't possess a middle name. There was a craze for middle initials at the time, so she chose "B" because her namesake aunt had married a man named Brownell."

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Susan B. Anthony is renowned for her pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States, advocating tirelessly for women's rights, including the right to vote.

BIRTH: Born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Susan was born into a Quaker family with a strong commitment to social justice and equality. Her family's values greatly influenced her later activism. Her father was a cotton mill owner and her mother came from a family involved in politics.

Following her family's financial hardship during the economic downturn known as the Panic of 1837, they relocated to Hardscrabble, later renamed Center Falls, New York.

CHILDHOOD: Growing up in a socially conscious household, Anthony was exposed to discussions on abolitionism and women's rights from an early age, shaping her future convictions.

At the age of 16, Anthony gathered two boxes of petitions that opposed slavery in response to the gag rule prohibiting such petitions in the House of Representatives.

EDUCATION: A precocious child, she learned to read and write at the age of three.

Anthony's formal education was limited due to societal norms at the time, but she was determined to learn and pursued self-education, including attending a Quaker boarding school.

CAREER RECORD: Before she'd turned 16, Anthony started taking small teaching jobs near her home.

Following the Panic of 1837, Anthony left home to teach to help pay off her father’s debts. 

In order to contribute to settling her father's debts, Anthony left home and engaged in teaching. Initially, she taught at Eunice Kenyon's Friends' Seminary in New Rochelle, New York. Subsequently, in 1846, she moved to the Canajoharie Academy. There, Anthony steadily ascended to the position of headmistress of the Female Department.

Headmistress Susan B. Anthony in 1848 at age 28

In 1845, Anthony's family moved to a farm on the outskirts of Rochester, New York, purchased partly with the inheritance of Anthony's mother.  When the Canajoharie Academy closed in 1849 Anthony took over the operation of the family farm. She worked at this task for a couple of years but found herself increasingly drawn to reform activity.

Anthony's later career was dedicated to activism. She played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement, advocating for equal rights for women. Key milestones include:

Founding the National Woman Suffrage Association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton on May 15, 1869.

Organizing and leading marches and protests for women's suffrage.

Giving countless speeches and lectures advocating for women's rights.

Facing arrest and trial for casting a vote in 1872.

APPEARANCE: Susan B. Anthony was 5ft 5in (165 cm) with a strong presence, and unwavering demeanor.

FASHION: Once she'd moved away from home and the Quaker influences, Anthony underwent a transformation in her attire, transitioning from plain clothing to more fashionable dresses. Additionally, she abandoned the use of traditional Quaker speech forms, including "thee" and others.

Later, she often wore simple and practical clothing, reflecting her commitment to her work rather than conforming to societal expectations of fashionable attire.

CHARACTER: Anthony was characterized by her strong will, resilience, and passion for justice. She was a tireless advocate for women's rights and equality.

In her youth, Anthony was very self-conscious of her appearance and speaking abilities. She staunchly avoised public speaking for fear she would not be sufficiently eloquent.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: While dedicated to serious causes, Anthony possessed a dry wit and a sharp sense of humor, which she sometimes used to disarm opponents or lighten the mood during tense situations.

RELATIONSHIPS: Anthony had offers of marriage, but there is no record of her ever having a serious romance

Anthony maintained close relationships with fellow suffragists, especially Elizabeth Cady Stanton, with whom she formed a lifelong partnership in the fight for women's rights. Her collaboration and friendships played a crucial role in advancing the women's rights movement.

Susan Antony and Elizabeth Stanton

MONEY AND FAME: Anthony faced financial challenges throughout her life, as her activism often took precedence over personal wealth. She sought equality and justice rather than personal fame or fortune.

FOOD AND DRINK: Anthony was known for her simple and frugal lifestyle, and her focus on social justice extended to advocating for temperance and abstinence from alcohol.

MUSIC AND ARTS: While not particularly involved in music and arts, Anthony recognized their potential to convey messages, and she appreciated their role in promoting social causes.

LITERATURE: Anthony was well-read and familiar with numerous texts, including historical and philosophical works, which informed her activism. She authored numerous articles and speeches advocating for women's rights and suffrage.

NATURE: While Anthony's activism primarily centered on societal issues, she appreciated the natural world and recognized the interconnectedness of environmental and social justice.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Her passion for women's rights left little time for conventional hobbies or sports, but she found fulfillment in her activism.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Not known to have had any specific scientific or mathematical interests.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Anthony's activism was grounded in a philosophy of equality and justice. While not prominently associated with theology, her Quaker upbringing influenced her commitment to social reform.

According to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Anthony was an agnostic, When Anthony's sister Hannah was dying, she asked Susan to talk about the great beyond, but, Anthony later wrote, "I could not dash her faith with my doubts, nor could I pretend a faith I had not; so I was silent in the dread presence of death."

SCANDAL: Anthony's life was marked by controversy due to her outspoken advocacy for women's rights,. She faced public criticism and even legal trouble for her activism, including being arrested for voting. However, she remained undeterred and used the attention to further her cause.

On November 18, 1872, Anthony was arrested by a U.S. Deputy Marshal for casting an illegal vote in the 1872 Presidential Election, which had occurred thirteen days prior. Despite being found guilty and handed a $100 fine, she avoided imprisonment. Remaining steadfast to her courtroom declaration ("I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty"), Anthony adhered to her vow and refrained from paying the fine throughout her life. The U.S. Government, perhaps embarrassed, took no further collection action against her.

MILITARY RECORD: Anthony was not involved in military activities. Her battles were fought in the realm of social and political activism.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Anthony maintained good health throughout much of her life, despite the physical and emotional challenges posed by her activism. She remained active even into her later years.

HOMES: Anthony lived in various places, reflecting her itinerant lifestyle driven by her activism. She spent significant periods in Rochester, New York.

TRAVEL: Anthony traveled extensively to promote women's suffrage, delivering speeches and participating in conventions across the United States.

Anthony said in an interview in 1896: "I think [the bicycle] has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world." 

DEATH: Susan B. Anthony passed away on March 13, 1906, in Rochester, New York, at the age of 86, sadly, fourteen years before the 19th Amendment granting women's suffrage was ratified.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Anthony's life has been depicted in numerous books, documentaries, and films, honoring her contributions to the women's suffrage movement. In 1999, Ken Burns and others produced the television documentary Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Susan B. Anthony played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement, contributing significantly to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote in the United States. Her legacy continues to inspire advocates for social justice and equality.

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