You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton?

by Jean Fritz, DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (Illustrator)

A biography of one of the first leaders of the women's rights movement, whose work led to the adoption of the nineteenth amendment--women's right to vote

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, School, American History, Childrens, Read For School

96 pages, Turtleback

First published September 12, 1995

About the author

Jean Guttery Fritz was an American children's writer best known for American biography and history. She won the Children's Legacy Literature Award for her career contribution to American children's literature in 1986. She turned 100 in November 2015 and died in May 2017 at the age of 101.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library thinking it would be one of Jean Fritz's picture books such as Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?--which I love! It actually ended up being a 76 page biography (with a few illustrations) but was still wonderfully lively, sensitive and humorous--not to mention informative! I am probably biased, because I pretty much love anything Jean Fritz writes and I think her talent for making historical figures seem real and approachable for young people (without dummying-down) is genius! So... "meeting" Lizzie Stanton through Fritz's prose made me feel exhilarated and inspired and deeply thankful to be a women on the receiving end of all the blood, sweat and tears our foremothers shed. It was also illuminating for me to really realize how many small steps there were in the women's rights movement--I think that so much of the focus tends to be on the "Votes for Women" thing--and, indeed, this was Stanton's primary goal--so it is really refreshing and fascinating to read more of the story. Indeed, many of the early movers and shakers in the women's rights movement did not WANT to push for the vote and thought Stanton was going TOO FAR. They wanted other things like women's rights to property, representation in court, divorce--basically, to be autonomous rather than an extension of her husband, but not extending to the right to vote. Indeed, Stanton's own husband was not in favor of women voting and was "embarrassed" by Lizzie pushing for it! Their marriage is certainly an interesting one and the nuances probably far surpass what was capable of documentation in this book. They met at anti-slavery meetings (very interesting how the slavery and women's rights issues were so intertwined--indeed, for awhile Lizzie focused her efforts fully on abolition not only for black rights but because she felt that the government could not possibly give the blacks the right to vote and not give it to women, too!) and fell quite in love and while he was supportive of women's rights to an extent, he never seemed to go as far as Lizzie nor offer her all the support she wanted from him and he was often far from home--though not so often that they failed to produce seven children! Yet for all her desire to have her own rights, Lizzie said that she regretted she did not feel she had a man she could "reverence and worship as a god." Indeed, we feel the interesting tug-of-war between Lizzie's interest in her children and her desire to be out and about campaigning for women's rights. She refused to leave any of the children when they were in their first year of life, so she was often very limited in what she could do. This caused great frustration to her friend, Susan B Anthony, who was one of the few women in the movement to remain unmarried--Anthony felt that the movement might fall to pieces with all her allies going off and marrying and having babies! Thankfully, the women managed to be early jugglers of career and family! :-) Fascinating, too, were the political issues, such as Stanton's initial thrill at the Lincoln election (an abolitionist, or so she believed) then her disgust with him when he failed to be proactive on the slavery front and even the long-awaited Emancipation Proclamation failed to fully deliver. Fascinating, too, that it was the Republican party that was more behind the women's rights movement than the Democratic! Most of all, it is a delight to read about a woman so passionate and intelligent, who sought out independence for all women but who never seemed to get over failing to earn her father's approval, who fought on with new issues (such as women's role in the church) well into her seventies, and who was ridiculed for her beliefs yet admired for her warm and vibrant personality. I could go on and on but if you want to know more, just read this delightful and inspiring book! Highly recommended for adults and older children.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Booklist
Gr. 3-7. This is Fritz at her ebullient best, writing a historical biography that weaves together the life of a spirited leader and the fight for her cause. In this case, the fight is for women's suffrage. Without fictionalization, Fritz re-creates Stanton's decisive, impatient, outspoken personality. "Elizabeth had never heard of anything so ridiculous" is a constant refrain from Stanton's childhood on through her domestic life and her long years of politics. The friendship between Stanton and the suffragist leader Susan B. Anthony is drawn with immediacy and zest, their closeness and their arguments, their work together and their failures. Stanton fought with the abolitionists who wanted to separate black rights and women's suffrage. She "lit into" the churches for being so backward. Yet there's no caricature; running throughout is a restrained sense of her sorrow that she could never please her father because she was not a boy. The description of her last speech in 1892 is an eloquent fusion of the personal and the political: "In the end, she said, everybody, men and women, were alone. They were responsible for themselves; no one could represent them." As usual, Fritz provides a bibliography but no further documentation of sources. Illustrations by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan not seen in galley. Hazel Rochman

This was a book that I really enjoyed reading. I feel a strong connection to those women that fought so hard for what many women take for granted these days. This book was nice in that it gave a lot of personal information on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, but also talked about some of the other women involved in the same work, Susan B. Anthony and Lucretia Mott. This book would most likely be for a child that is really interested in this subject to begin with, because there are some parts that seem monotonous. Again, because of my strong interest in the subject matter I could get through it easily. She was a courageous and inspiring woman!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a detailed look at Elizabeth Cady Stanton's life. The narrative is a bit long, but is still a fascinating read.

We recently read Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?, also by Jean Fritz, and we are coming to appreciate her wit and ability to bring these historical figures to life.

I think we liked the book about Mr. Adams a bit better, though. I think this book could've benefitted from some further edits - the narrative was a bit tedious in places.

There are not many illustrations, but the few black and white drawings that accompany the text are good and really help to depict the action of the narrative and the setting.

We've been learning a lot about the Women's Suffrage movement since we live near the Workhouse reformatory where the women were imprisoned during their protests in Washington D.C. in 1917.

The Turning Point Suffragist memorial is being constructed nearby and is planned to open in time for the centennial celebration of the ratification of the 19th amendment. We are looking forward to it, and in the meantime, I look to books like this to help make the history real for our girls.

Because we are so much more familiar with the suffragists who saw the conclusion of the struggle, it was refreshing to learn more about those who began it.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read, although the density of the narrative forced us to keep it to only one or two chapters each night. (In fact, I'm pretty sure our youngest slept through about half of the book.) Still, we enjoyed reading this book together.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to my 12 year old daughter who was appalled, nay horrified, to understand that women have only had the right to vote in the USA for just over 100 years.

Jean Fritz is an excellent writer, but you probably already knew that.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie Stanton's uphill battle for woman's suffrage is told in a well-written and accessible biography for children. Her fierce spirit and independence were initially supported by her husband but then largely benignly ignored as he left her with a constantly growing household of children in upstate New York while he did his own work, only occasionally coming back to visit. With the support of her female friends, Lizzie wrote and spoke tirelessly for women's right to sovereignty, especially after she came into her prime at fifty and could leave much of her childcare behind her. As an ardent Abolitionist from a young age, Lizzie naturally thought emancipating women along with the slaves was a no-brainer. That, however, was far too radical for our dear men of politics. Of course, so much of what she struggled for makes such sense today, you just want to shake those stupid men who were so willing to simply dismiss half of the population for so long.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after my 5th grader for required reading. It includes some interesting tales and side stories along the path towards woman's suffrage, but some of it was a little dry. Stories of Lizzie Stanton's homelife ranged from ridiculously funny to profoundly sad. Apparently, she got her start in the women's movement trying to prove to her dad that she was as good as the living son he never had. Towards the end of her life, she regretted that she had been without a man "to reverence and worship as a god." The author, Jean Fritz commented that "she had always wanted more from her father and her husband than they had been able to give." Despite her sadnesses, Elizabeth Stanton did much good, and "outlived most of her anger." One topic to discuss with the 5th grader is the several references in this book to churches oppressing women.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? / Jean Fritz / 1995
Genre: non-fiction
Format: juvenile non-fiction

Plot Summary: A biography of one of the first leaders of the women's rights movement, whose work led to the adoption of the nineteenth amendment--women's right to vote.

Considerations: discussion of politics, antiquated gender roles

Review Citation:
Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 1995
"She comes alive for middle graders in a narrative with almost novelistic pacing, a dose of humor, and an affectionate point of view. Fritz vividly relates how Stanton, early on, felt the sting of injustice in being a girl, and that even her own father was sorry she was not a boy."

Selection Source: ALA Notable Books
Recommended age: 9-12

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read better by Jean Fritz. Not a bad read, but also not one really worth the time. This might work for its intended audience (much younger readers than me!) but more from lack of viable alternatives than merit.

[Amy de Raaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The history of the past is but one long struggle upward to equality." Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady "Lizzie" Stanton was a force to be reckoned with! Way ahead of her time, quick with her words, a sharp wit and a powerful pen, she was one of the first to wear bloomers, speak out against corrupt pastors, men, and slavery, she paved the way to the ballot box. Although sadly she died before she got the chance to see her hard efforts realized in 1920 when women finally got the right to vote. Lizzie and her bestie, Susan B. Anthony, worked effortlessly until they died for women's suffrage and the opportunity to see equality for all women.

I loved this short read!! Empowering for all women, well written and researched with an inspiring message!

"The prolonged slavery of women is the darkest page in human history." Elizabeth Cady Stanton

[Abigail Mohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a fascinating story! I really want to read more about Elizabeth Cady Stanton now, especially a book written for older readers. The writing of this one was simplistic and occasionally stilted but it was still an interesting read nonetheless.

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

-Obstacles are put in your way to see if what you want is really worth fighting for.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.

The best protection any woman can have... is courage.

Self-development is a higher duty than self-sacrifice.

Truth is the only safe ground to stand upon.

A leader in the fight for women's suffrage
A battleship used during World War II was named after Stanton called the USS Elizabeth C. Stanton.
Her house in Seneca Falls was declared a National Historic Landmark.
She spoke of women's rights before the U.S. Congress giving a famous speech called The Solitude of Self.
She once said that "the history of the past is but one long struggle upward to equality."

TRAVELED TO // Johnstown & Seneca Falls, New York, Boston, Massachusetts
MET ALONG THE WAY // Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Motts, Amelia Bloomer, Lucy Stone, Family, Friends & Adversaries

Oberlin College [The Price Of Freedom; How One Town Stood Up To Slavery]

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haley Gleeson

You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton?
By: Jean Fritz
Lizzie Stanton was born in 1815 in Johnstown New York. Lizzie had two other sisters. One named Harriet who was five years older than her. Another named Margaret that was three years
younger than her. Lizzie’s father always wanted her to be a boy but that only made her more determined to do more.
When Lizzie won a prize for Latin and thought her father would be proud her father only responded “I wish you were a boy”. She wanted freedom for all women so they could be equal to any
man that also included having the right to vote. When she grew up she married a man by the name of Henry Stanton. Together they had seven children. Lizzie spoke for women’s right to vote at a convention
in Seneca Falls, New York in July 1874. Her husband was so embarrassed he left town but that didn’t stop her. She became friends with another woman who wanted rights for women to. Lizzie Stanton died in 1902. Although she didn’t live long enough to vote Lizzie Stanton had a big effect on helping women get there rights.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jean Fritz
This book is about Elizabeth Stanton and her fight for women's freedom when it came to vote and other things women were not allowed to do that men were. She worked with Susan B. Anthony on the woman's suffrage movement for a long time. Stanton's husband was embarrassed that his wife was fighting for these types of freedom and equal treatment between men and women especially voting. When Stanton had children she refused to leave them during the first year that they were born so this limited her on what she could do while fighting for women's rights. Susan B. Anthony thought this would make the whole thing fall apart but it did not and they actually became very famous and successful women fighting for equal rights for men and women.

I thought this book was a little boring but very informative. I think I especially liked it because it talked about women's rights and me being a women should be a little bit knowledgeable on how all this equality for men and women came about. I think this book could be used in a history lesson to point out certain people and events during the women's suffrage movement.

This book was very accurate and contained a lot of factual information about woman's rights and the people behind it and how men and women became equal.
The information was presented in an organized way starting from beginning to end. Everything happened in order.
I don't think the format is very appealing to children.
The author's writing style is clear and you can tell right away this is more of an informational/biography kind of book.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seemed a timely choice right now...Jean Fritz writes strong, informative, lively, interesting nonfiction and biography. She chooses subjects and events carefully and incorporates her research so that young readers have a sense of immediacy.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton...one of the driving forces for women's suffrage and abolition. In her mind, the oppression of African Americans and women was linked...connected.

She learned early on that women had precious few rights in the world and she dedicated her life to changing that. At a cost. She moved faster and farther than her husband wanted her to, and they lived apart while still a couple for most of their marriage. She gave birth to eight children, and was often away lecturing, and was not the primary caregiver. Fritz does not shy away from these facts as she paints this driving woman who was THERE...

Lucretia Mott, Susan Anthony...they're here too. One a mentor, one a soldier-in-arms.

By her death, at least three states granted women the right to vote, and the the Nineteenth Amendment would be ratified afterwards. She changed a nation with her feisty mouth and pen. Her sacrifices must never be taken for granted as we go to the polls next week. We must show up for Lizzy and Susan and Lucretia.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good short biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton that doesn't pull any punches but also seems to talk down a little bit to the reader. For shame, I didn't know that much about her before I read this book, so I feel more educated now about one of the really important pioneers of the women's movement, and her relationships with other important people like Susan B. Anthony and Lucretia Mott. But it wasn't really very gripping or anything. Just sort of "this happened, and then that happened, and then she gave a lot of speeches, and her father didn't like it, and she wanted to be as good as a man but her father would never say that she was, and then she got really fat, and people gave more credit to Susan B. Anthony, and there was tension between the abolition movement and the civil rights movement, and then she gave some more speeches, and then she died." Could have been better.

[onysha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jean Fritz's books are always a joy to read. Her writing is vibrant, and characterization excellent. She has the knack of getting under the skin of her subjects and becoming one with them, in a way.

This was a good book about the fight for women's suffrage. Very informative and eye-opening. I don't agree with everything Stanton thought, though. I do understand her dissatisfaction with the church anti-women's suffrage stance. I am just as unhappy as she was in that.

I understand Fritz was writing a biography in Stanton's viewpoint, but I didn't like how the book sounded almost approving of Stanton's upsetting viewpoints. Stanton saw her children as baggage and encouraged them to rebel against authority. In my opinion, that's not the way to go. Rebel against authority when authority is wrong, but have some respect.

[Verkiezen · Rating 2 out of 5]

You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? by Jean Fritz is an interesting attempt at conveying a historical figure to young children through biography. Maybe it's because I'm more critical of non-fiction than fiction but I didn't enjoy this too much. I have a very large part of my heart dedicated to women's suffrage, and my actual research of it isn't high, so maybe I wanted more from this book than it could reasonably give me. Although I would like to believe that children can handle facts in a more straight-forward manner. I just wasn't thrilled with this work, but I'm giving it an extra star for subject matter.

[Natalie Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great piece of literature to add to a classroom library. Falls under the category of biography and is a wonderful tale of the leader of the women's suffrage movement, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This biography is a whole life biography and shows that even though Lizzie grew up in a time where women didn't have many rights, and that was the norm, she knew something wasn't right and had the courage to try and make a difference.

[Reily Riemersma]

this story is about Elizabeth Stanton, the lively, unconventional spokeswoman of the woman suffrage movement. Convinced from an early age that women should have the same rights as men, Lizzie embarked on a career that changed America.

We all know this story but im not so sure if everyone has read this book. This is a great book that everybody should read. especially people interested in American history. This woman changed ameica forever by having a voice.

[Rebecca Tredway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one from the young adult non-fiction shelves! I'm enjoying this length of biography. I love reading about people's lives and learning something at the same time. Last time e. e. cummings, this time Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I had to fight to not get angry while reading about the Americans who initially fought for women's rights. People used to--and still do--believe dumb things about women. I'm grateful for Stanton!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate Jean Fritz's style and skill, and although I knew about Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the women's suffrage movement, this biography brought it to sparkling life. This is the third or fourth of Fritz's books I've read, and I've yet to be the least disappointed. Share a lot of it with a 7th-grade student tonight, and he was mightily impressed. Good work!

[Eileen McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book alot. Interesting woman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Great hero to me! Last year my daughter Maran, my husband, Steve and I visited the Women's Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls New York and it was great! It is amazing what happened here in 1948. The declaration of women's independence fountain wall was especially meaningful and memorable.

[Mary L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting biography. It is almost 100 years since women got the right to vote nationwide. Still we take it so much for granted today. The other injustices that she fought against were very real also. Actually women didn't have any more rights than slaves did. I am so glad that she and others like her fought for our rights.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am quite familiar with this story, I enjoyed Fritz' lively writing style and the way she uses real-life anecdotes to make the characters come alive. Not easy to do in non-fiction! I especially liked Lizzie's almost-curse, "Men and angels!"

[Shayla Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography is sure to capture a student's attention. Engage students in Stanton's humorous anecdotes while still practicing nonfiction analysis. Also, this can be directly tied into a Constitutional Amendments lesson.

[Shannon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read kids' books about historical people who made a difference by fighting for what they believe in. Actually, I just like to read about historical people (kid books, not adult books). :) This will be a great one for me to promote in my classroom.

[Wendi Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Fritz makes history very accessible. I liked hearing how this woman was able to marry and have a family while also maintaining her feminist ideals, friends, and actions. People often think feminism and traditional values are incompatible but many feminists have proven otherwise.

[Ashwise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a speech I had to write for the 6th grade speech contest. Loved the story and how Stanton made a career of women's rights and never wavered in the face of opposition, sadly she died 18 years before women FINALLY gained the right to vote.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

An inspiring, absorbing look into the life of an amazing, courageous woman. Women have certainly come a long way, but who says we should stop now?
We have a lot to learn from Stanton and those suffragettes, and this book was interesting and informative :)

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a nice introduction to children about the hard, slow struggle early feminists had to go through to gain equal rights. It highlights a lot of things that women (and men) take for granted today. It clearly lays out Elizabeth Cady Santon's life that doesn't bore you.