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Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony
In the Spring of 1851 two women met on a street corner in Seneca Falls, New York—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a thirty-five year old mother of four boys, and Susan B. Anthony, a thirty-one year old, unmarried, former school teacher. Immediately drawn to each other, they formed an everlasting and legendary friendship. Together they challenged entrenched beliefs, customs, and laws that oppressed women and spearheaded the fight to gain legal rights, including the right to vote despite fierce opposition, daunting conditions, scandalous entanglements and betrayal by their friends and allies.
Weaving events, quotations, personalities, and commentary into a page-turning narrative, Penny Colman tells this compelling story and vividly portrays the friendship between Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, a friendship that changed history.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2011
19 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Penny Colman
29 books10 followersPenny Colman is the author of award-winning biographies and social histories. Her intriguing topics range from Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II to Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial. A popular speaker, Penny has appeared on television and radio, including National Public Radio, and on Book TV, C-Span2.
She has been honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for her books and public appearances that have “contributed to the advancement of women.” The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs presented her with the New Jersey Women of Achievement Award.
A graduate of The University of Michigan and The Johns Hopkins University, Penny has taught nonfiction literature and creative writing at various colleges and universities, including Teachers College, Columbia University and Queens College, The City University of New York, where she was a Distinguished Lecturer.
She has been honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for her books and public appearances that have “contributed to the advancement of women.” The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs presented her with the New Jersey Women of Achievement Award.
A graduate of The University of Michigan and The Johns Hopkins University, Penny has taught nonfiction literature and creative writing at various colleges and universities, including Teachers College, Columbia University and Queens College, The City University of New York, where she was a Distinguished Lecturer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 5, 2021
On a spring day in May of 1851—following an antislavery meeting in Seneca Falls, New York—Amelia Bloomer made a simple introduction that would alter the way that women were viewed, treated, and legally recognized. It was on a street corner where Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton met and would begin a 51-year friendship that would survive religious differences, geographical distances, legislative setbacks, societal obstacles, and personal obligations. Elizabeth, a gifted writer, and Susan, an adept organizer, were on the forefront of the women’s reform movement and would not only travel throughout the nation to end slavery, but would lead the charge in fighting for the rights of women to receive a higher education, to divorce, to own property, to earn equal pay, and to vote. Together, these women amassed ardent supporters, as well as bitter detractors. They suffered financially, physically, and emotionally but they remained as committed to their friendship as to their cause.
Colman’s research is exhaustive and extensive. Rather than begin her book with Susan and Elizabeth’s initial meeting, she explores each of their childhoods and upbringing, allowing readers to get a more complete picture as to how these two very different women would eventually be drawn together through a common cause. What I enjoyed was being able to go beyond the history in order to understand each woman’s unique motivation that set them on their shared trajectory. In Elizabeth’s case, it was her desire to offer consolation to her father after the death of his son. Her desire to bring him comfort by being “all my brother was” made her realize just how limited and exclusive her options were. Also, since her father was a judge and his office adjoined their home, Elizabeth was privy to numerous conversations dealing with the law and its negative impact on women, especially married women. In Susan’s case, it was her family’s plummet into bankruptcy and watching her personal items being auctioned off that left an indelible mark on her. Her need to earn money and help pay off family debts thrust her into the world of teaching, where she immersed herself in the issues of the day: temperance, slavery, and the fate of the country. With so many personal details taken from diary entries, letters, journals, biographies, and autobiographies, Colman enables readers to not only value these women as historical figures, but to also connect with them on a personal level. Their struggle was extraordinary and their impact immeasurable.
Before Elizabeth’s 87th birthday (which she would never get to celebrate), she received a letter from her dearest Susan. The letter read, “It is fifty-one years since we first met and we have been busy through every one of them, stirring up the world to recognize the right of women. . . . We little dreamed when we began this contest . . .that half a century later we would be compelled to leave the finish of the battle to another generation of women. But our hearts are filled with joy to know that they enter upon this task equipped with a college education, with business experience, with the freely admitted right to speak in public—all of which were denied to women fifty years ago. . . . These strong, courageous, capable, young women will take our place and complete our work. There is an army of them where we were but a handful.”
In an age where social media influencers, fashion and beauty bloggers, and reality stars fight for the attention and devotion of our young girls, it is important to remind them that it wasn’t that long ago when women were considered “members of the state” and not recognized as citizens of the country. Women were denied rights, choices, and privileges that were eventually given to freed male slaves. Susan and Elizabeth were trailblazers and pioneers who made it possible for women to have a seat at the table…to have a voice in the discussion. They weren’t just reformers, activists, and suffragists, they were crusaders, soldiers, and warriors. Before our young girls and women put on a soccer jersey, sit down to choose their college, or review a ballot before an upcoming election, they need to remember that these choices are possible because of an introduction between two women who were outside enjoying a pretty spring day in New York.
Colman’s research is exhaustive and extensive. Rather than begin her book with Susan and Elizabeth’s initial meeting, she explores each of their childhoods and upbringing, allowing readers to get a more complete picture as to how these two very different women would eventually be drawn together through a common cause. What I enjoyed was being able to go beyond the history in order to understand each woman’s unique motivation that set them on their shared trajectory. In Elizabeth’s case, it was her desire to offer consolation to her father after the death of his son. Her desire to bring him comfort by being “all my brother was” made her realize just how limited and exclusive her options were. Also, since her father was a judge and his office adjoined their home, Elizabeth was privy to numerous conversations dealing with the law and its negative impact on women, especially married women. In Susan’s case, it was her family’s plummet into bankruptcy and watching her personal items being auctioned off that left an indelible mark on her. Her need to earn money and help pay off family debts thrust her into the world of teaching, where she immersed herself in the issues of the day: temperance, slavery, and the fate of the country. With so many personal details taken from diary entries, letters, journals, biographies, and autobiographies, Colman enables readers to not only value these women as historical figures, but to also connect with them on a personal level. Their struggle was extraordinary and their impact immeasurable.
Before Elizabeth’s 87th birthday (which she would never get to celebrate), she received a letter from her dearest Susan. The letter read, “It is fifty-one years since we first met and we have been busy through every one of them, stirring up the world to recognize the right of women. . . . We little dreamed when we began this contest . . .that half a century later we would be compelled to leave the finish of the battle to another generation of women. But our hearts are filled with joy to know that they enter upon this task equipped with a college education, with business experience, with the freely admitted right to speak in public—all of which were denied to women fifty years ago. . . . These strong, courageous, capable, young women will take our place and complete our work. There is an army of them where we were but a handful.”
In an age where social media influencers, fashion and beauty bloggers, and reality stars fight for the attention and devotion of our young girls, it is important to remind them that it wasn’t that long ago when women were considered “members of the state” and not recognized as citizens of the country. Women were denied rights, choices, and privileges that were eventually given to freed male slaves. Susan and Elizabeth were trailblazers and pioneers who made it possible for women to have a seat at the table…to have a voice in the discussion. They weren’t just reformers, activists, and suffragists, they were crusaders, soldiers, and warriors. Before our young girls and women put on a soccer jersey, sit down to choose their college, or review a ballot before an upcoming election, they need to remember that these choices are possible because of an introduction between two women who were outside enjoying a pretty spring day in New York.
February 23, 2023
I read this for Homeschool with my daughter and it is an excellent introduction to suffrage, temperance, abolition, and women’s rights. It is written at a YA level, so it is not overly dense.
Colman does a great job of focusing on the friendship of these two powerhouse leaders of the suffrage movement. I believe they achieved more together than either would have achieved alone. The fact that they had to fight so hard to be considered citizens in the country in which they were born is infuriating; however, their sacrifice and hard work is also inspiring. I’m looking forward to the discussion with my child.
I definitely recommend this for teenage readers (both boys and girls), or anyone looking for a quality, easy-to-read exploration of this piece of history.
Colman does a great job of focusing on the friendship of these two powerhouse leaders of the suffrage movement. I believe they achieved more together than either would have achieved alone. The fact that they had to fight so hard to be considered citizens in the country in which they were born is infuriating; however, their sacrifice and hard work is also inspiring. I’m looking forward to the discussion with my child.
I definitely recommend this for teenage readers (both boys and girls), or anyone looking for a quality, easy-to-read exploration of this piece of history.
October 9, 2020
The ever-inspiring Susan B and Elizabeth Cady. Their friendship is iconic and they are each such honorable women in their own rights. I loved this book which wove together their individual stories while highlighting the life they lead together, side by side. Such admirable sheroes!
March 30, 2019
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony: A Friendship that Changed the World by Penny Colman was a good introductory book to the history of women and their journey to winning the rights they (we) deserve. I liked Colman’s style of storytelling—informative, yet light enough to avoid turning into a dense high school textbook—which was a good change from that typical way of presenting information about a historical period or event.
I also really enjoyed the way Elizabeth, Susan, and all of their colleagues were presented. A lot of the time, when you’re reading about the past in a textbook or something similar, it can be easy for the historical figures to just become names written on the page; however, that was not the case with this biography. Colman did an excellent job of personifying the women, portraying their personalities as clearly as if she had been able to meet them in person.
All things considered, I give this book three stars for all the reasons above, and then some. The women’s rights movement was a momentous occurrence in the history of the US; and I feel as though everyone should at least be aware: that it doesn’t matter what you look like, or what shade your skin is, or even what gender you were born. You are important, just like everyone else, and deserve to be heard.
I also really enjoyed the way Elizabeth, Susan, and all of their colleagues were presented. A lot of the time, when you’re reading about the past in a textbook or something similar, it can be easy for the historical figures to just become names written on the page; however, that was not the case with this biography. Colman did an excellent job of personifying the women, portraying their personalities as clearly as if she had been able to meet them in person.
All things considered, I give this book three stars for all the reasons above, and then some. The women’s rights movement was a momentous occurrence in the history of the US; and I feel as though everyone should at least be aware: that it doesn’t matter what you look like, or what shade your skin is, or even what gender you were born. You are important, just like everyone else, and deserve to be heard.
November 7, 2017
This is the intriguing story of two amazing women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, and should be read by every girl and woman in our country and in our world, because today, they enjoy the freedoms that were only imagined back in the day when these two women were trailblazers in the fight for women's rights. The story of what these two heroines have done shows just how far we have come; however it also reminds the reader of so many parallels with today's world - for women and girls in other countries, for minorities here in the United States, and for people of all sexes, races, and cultures who are still downtrodden and who have no rights of their own to live free and peaceful lives. In my opinion, this is a great book.
June 20, 2013
Colman's book is easy to read and I received quite a bit of information about those two suffragists. The author keeps shifting back and forth between those two pioneers, and at times I got lost into following who she was referring to. Still, it's an enjoyable book to read, although I found a stronger emotional attachment to "Angels at Sunset" which really made those characters come to life.
September 7, 2014
I loved this book. These two are two of my personal heroes and I loved reading about their friendship. I love that one was an unmarried school teacher and the other a married mother of 4 (and eventually 7!) and the friendship they formed and work they did together changed history.
June 13, 2021
It's not often I give a non-fiction book 5 stars. However valuable I find them, it's hard for me to like them as much as a great novel. But this one I really enjoyed! I knew bits and pieces about Susan B. Anthony, and less about Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I read this book mostly to find out more about Anthony, as she will be a secondary character in the novel I'm working on.
I'm struck by how amazing Anthony was! They both were, in their own ways, but Anthony was super-human in her strength and persistence to keep up the fight for women's rights. (Stanton's activity was hampered to a large degree by having seven children!) That they managed to keep going for well over 50 years, despite the many setbacks is admirable in itself.
One story from the book: The University of Rochester had said it would open its doors to female students. Then they backed down. Anthony and Stanton gave them an earful, so they once again agreed to admit female students — on the condition that they raise $50,000 (over $1.5M in today's money) for new facilities. Local women raised $42,000 but failed to tell Anthony of the shortfall until the day before the deadline.
What did Anthony do?! She set out to raise $8,000 (over $250,000 today) before the next day's deadline of course! On a hot day, she managed to race around to get enough pledges and went to speak to the university trustees before the deadline.
Bear in mind Anthony was over 80 years old at this point.
The trustees rejected one of the pledges (of $2,000) because the donor was very sick and might die before he gave the money. So Anthony pledged her own life insurance to make up the difference. The university accepted, and female students were admitted.
Sadly, Anthony suffered a stroke two days later. She couldn't talk for a week, and required care for a month. She did recover sufficiently to attend more conventions — against her doctor's advice. However, for this heroically active woman, to be inactive was a way to die before she died. She chose to continue being active in the movement because she'd rather "die in the harness" doing her life's work.
It is absolutely tragic that neither of these women lived to see the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
I feel it would be remiss not to mention that these women were not perfect. Stanton in particular had some explicitly racist attitudes. Sadly, it would be hard to find a white person in the nineteenth century who didn't. Without excusing their racism, there is much to admire about both of them. This book is a fantastic place to learn about them.
My next non-fiction is Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All by Martha S. Jones.
I'm struck by how amazing Anthony was! They both were, in their own ways, but Anthony was super-human in her strength and persistence to keep up the fight for women's rights. (Stanton's activity was hampered to a large degree by having seven children!) That they managed to keep going for well over 50 years, despite the many setbacks is admirable in itself.
One story from the book: The University of Rochester had said it would open its doors to female students. Then they backed down. Anthony and Stanton gave them an earful, so they once again agreed to admit female students — on the condition that they raise $50,000 (over $1.5M in today's money) for new facilities. Local women raised $42,000 but failed to tell Anthony of the shortfall until the day before the deadline.
What did Anthony do?! She set out to raise $8,000 (over $250,000 today) before the next day's deadline of course! On a hot day, she managed to race around to get enough pledges and went to speak to the university trustees before the deadline.
Bear in mind Anthony was over 80 years old at this point.
The trustees rejected one of the pledges (of $2,000) because the donor was very sick and might die before he gave the money. So Anthony pledged her own life insurance to make up the difference. The university accepted, and female students were admitted.
Sadly, Anthony suffered a stroke two days later. She couldn't talk for a week, and required care for a month. She did recover sufficiently to attend more conventions — against her doctor's advice. However, for this heroically active woman, to be inactive was a way to die before she died. She chose to continue being active in the movement because she'd rather "die in the harness" doing her life's work.
It is absolutely tragic that neither of these women lived to see the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
I feel it would be remiss not to mention that these women were not perfect. Stanton in particular had some explicitly racist attitudes. Sadly, it would be hard to find a white person in the nineteenth century who didn't. Without excusing their racism, there is much to admire about both of them. This book is a fantastic place to learn about them.
My next non-fiction is Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All by Martha S. Jones.
October 25, 2019
This book was a pleasure to read primarily for its significant research and its extensive use of quotations from the speeches, writing, news articles and the 50 years of extensive correspondence between Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. If not for the steadfast perseverance of these two pioneers for equal rights for women, who knows how long it would have taken women to achieve the same legal rights, including the right to vote, as men.
What this book lacks is a more nuanced explanation of the tumultuous times in which they lived and a deeper understanding of their personalities and life choices that a better biographer would have to offer. The writing felt simple and more suited for a middle school reading assignment.
That being said, I loved reading the quotes of the day used to tell the story of this deep and abiding friendship. Also, it made me feel the enormous frustration they endured through the incremental successes achieved during their long, difficult years of hard work.
What this book lacks is a more nuanced explanation of the tumultuous times in which they lived and a deeper understanding of their personalities and life choices that a better biographer would have to offer. The writing felt simple and more suited for a middle school reading assignment.
That being said, I loved reading the quotes of the day used to tell the story of this deep and abiding friendship. Also, it made me feel the enormous frustration they endured through the incremental successes achieved during their long, difficult years of hard work.
November 18, 2018
This is a well researched, well presented narrative of the friendship between ELIZABETH and SUSAN. I really enjoyed getting to know them through their interactions and their efforts in women’s rights. I would like to have learned more about other aspects of their life, and I felt like we jumped over big segments of their individual lives, in the focus on their life together, But I suppose that’s understandable given the focus of the book. Overall, it was very enjoyable, and lightning, and there is is a must read for all who currently have the right to vote but don’t use it, or use it but don’t appreciate it.
February 13, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. If you are a history buff and/or want to learn more about the Woman's Suffrage Movement, this is a must read. It was amazing to read about the friendship that Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony shared. It wasn't always perfect, but they always managed to find their way back and support each other. It is a story about two exceptionally strong women, who made a difference in American history.
April 13, 2023
A summarized woman's history, Elizabeth and Susan were two of these great people who fought for women's equal rights. As a woman living in the modern world; I am able to wear what I want, speak what I think, and get education chances. All these are due to their strive and courage and belief. Even though the real gender equality is still far away, our offsprings will achieve it one day thanks to the successions of Elizabeth and Susan.
December 31, 2018
If I could give this book a negative star, I would. Maybe it's because I don't like non-fiction books, maybe not, all I know is that this book was absolutely terrible. The way it was formatted was very confusing, and the book was overall very uninteresting. I would DEFINITELY NOT recommend this book to ANYONE........unless you enjoy boring confusing books!
October 22, 2018
This book is highly organized and very well-written. I'm embarrassed to admit that I first heard the name Elizabeth Cady Stanton when I was in my 30's (no mention of her in my high school history class in the 1970's). My thanks to The History Chicks podcast for endorsing Colson's dynamic account of the enduring friendship of two brave and tireless women.
November 27, 2019
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony spearheaded the fight initially for anti-slavery and then switched over to the fight for women's rights, especially the right to vote. For more than 50 years, the two wrote and gave speeches, stumped the country, and rallied women and men to the cause meanwhile maintaining an amazing friendship. Their efforts were finally successful when the 19th amendment was passed in 1920, but neither lived long enough to see it happen.
Interesting story on how long and valiantly they fought for a cause they believed in. Lots of details - almost too many - dragged in the second half. Good book to read as we get ready to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment.
Interesting story on how long and valiantly they fought for a cause they believed in. Lots of details - almost too many - dragged in the second half. Good book to read as we get ready to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment.
February 2, 2020
this book was very intriguing. I was pulled right into this story, when I learned In the first chapter, That when women married in the early 1800’s, they were considered legally dead under the law. What?! Its a well writen story about Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Caddy Stanton and all they did to change the world.
January 17, 2019
Hard as it is to believe, basic rights women take for granted today - the right to vote, to own property, to get a college education, even to speak in public - had to be gained through years of struggle with lots of set-backs and victories. These two women were at the forefront of that struggle.
July 27, 2023
With the understanding that this book was written at a young adult level, I guess it’s as good a place as any to begin to explore the phenomenal story of Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. If you’ve read much (or anything) about these two extraordinary women you will learn nothing new from this book.
May 16, 2017
read entirely in one sitting. pretty damn good.
August 9, 2017
well researched, well documented, clear wonderful tale of ECS and SBA
September 10, 2018
A Story That Must Be Told
Excellent telling of the 50+ year friendship of these two historically powerful women. Inspiring! We need to keep telling the story for equality.
Excellent telling of the 50+ year friendship of these two historically powerful women. Inspiring! We need to keep telling the story for equality.
October 9, 2018
Wonderful! I learned so much and the book really makes the characters come to life!
April 8, 2019
Strong women who put up with ridiculous things. We were lucky to have them, would have been wonderful to know them. Glad the world is different, but it still isn't perfect.
November 23, 2019
With the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the constitution coming up, this was a nice intro into the early movers & shakers paving the way for women's rights.
December 6, 2019
Confusing
This book mentioned someone once and then it referenced them by there first name which was confusing. In my opinion it was not interesting but that is up to the reader.
This book mentioned someone once and then it referenced them by there first name which was confusing. In my opinion it was not interesting but that is up to the reader.
February 2, 2024
Riveting. Inspirational.
February 26, 2024
A!n amazing unwavering frienship!
May 4, 2011
Award-winning non-fiction author Penny Colman has written extensively for young people about the history of women in America, and her newest book focuses on "a friendship that changed the world"--Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, two of the leaders of the 19th century American suffragist movement. While there are many women who fought for the right to vote, Colman points out in her preface that these two women in particular are remembered for "their fierce, relentless, groundbreaking leadership and their powerful friendship in the fight for women's rights." Their friendship lasted a remarkable 51 years, sustaining the whole movement, although sadly neither lived to see Congress pass the 19th amendment.
Colman paints a fascinating dual portrait in this book, which although published for young people, is equally suitable for adult readers looking for a well-written and reasonably comprehensive introduction to both women's lives. In the beginning of the book, she alternates chapter by chapter, telling the story of both women's childhoods separately. They grew up in quite different circumstances, Elizabeth in a large, wealthy family with servants, her father a prominent lawyer and judge. When her older brother died at twenty, eleven-year old Elizabeth decided to "be all my brother was," becoming an excellent student (the only girl in a class of all boys, relishing her studies of advanced mathematics and languages) and an accomplished rider. She was shocked at the injustices women suffered under the law, and resolved to take her scissors and cut all the "odious laws...out of the books." Her father gently explained to her that this would not make any difference in women's conditions, since there were many other lawyers and libraries.
Susan, on the other hand, was born into a large Quaker family, with a father who also believed strongly in education for girls as well as boys. Her father managed a textile mill, and Susan was expected to help care for the younger children and pitch in with many household chores. By fifteen, Susan became a teacher in her father's private school, and continued her own education later at a female seminary near Philadelphia.
We see their lives unfold side-by-side: Susan, who had no shortage of suitors, remained an unmarried teacher, and Elizabeth, married to a prominent abolitionist and soon with a house full of children. When Elizabeth moves to Seneca Falls, New York, she begins to plan together with her friends the first "Woman's Rights Convention." They drafted a Declaration of Sentiments, based on the Declaration of Independence, with a resolution on the right of suffrage. Elizabeth's own husband would not agree to it, and the convention was ridiculed in newspapers across the country. But Elizabeth was not intimidated; more women's rights conventions followed, although Elizabeth was unable to attend due to pregnancies and her small children. However, she would write speeches and letters that were read at these meetings by others.
Elizabeth and Susan were eventually introduced by fellow suffragist Amelia Bloomer and immediately hit it off, although at this time Susan did not share Elizabeth's intense commitment to women's rights, being passionately committed instead to the temperance movement. However, Susan's focus soon shifted to the issue of suffrage, as she began to realize that without the vote women couldn't push effectively for any other political changes.
The two women's skills complemented each other very well; Elizabeth didn't have the freedom to travel and make speeches as often as Susan because of her many children, so she often wrote the speeches that Susan then delivered all over the country. Colman takes us chronologically through both of these icons of women's rights long lives, as each continued fighting to the bitter end to see the vote passed for women.
There are many excellent web resources on these two remarkable women. Just to name a few to start with, for more on the web on Susan B. Anthony, see the website for her home in Rochester, New York, now a museum and Winningthevote.org, a project of the Rochester Regional Library Council. For more on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, see Elizabethcadystanton.org and the website for Elizabeth Cady Stanton's house, now run by the National Park Service, which includes this attractive brochure/flyer from the Park Service on Elizabeth's life in Seneca Falls.
I highly recommend this book for purchase by school and public libraries; it could be used for both school reports and also for pleasure reading by young people interested in biographies of great figures from history.
Colman paints a fascinating dual portrait in this book, which although published for young people, is equally suitable for adult readers looking for a well-written and reasonably comprehensive introduction to both women's lives. In the beginning of the book, she alternates chapter by chapter, telling the story of both women's childhoods separately. They grew up in quite different circumstances, Elizabeth in a large, wealthy family with servants, her father a prominent lawyer and judge. When her older brother died at twenty, eleven-year old Elizabeth decided to "be all my brother was," becoming an excellent student (the only girl in a class of all boys, relishing her studies of advanced mathematics and languages) and an accomplished rider. She was shocked at the injustices women suffered under the law, and resolved to take her scissors and cut all the "odious laws...out of the books." Her father gently explained to her that this would not make any difference in women's conditions, since there were many other lawyers and libraries.
Susan, on the other hand, was born into a large Quaker family, with a father who also believed strongly in education for girls as well as boys. Her father managed a textile mill, and Susan was expected to help care for the younger children and pitch in with many household chores. By fifteen, Susan became a teacher in her father's private school, and continued her own education later at a female seminary near Philadelphia.
We see their lives unfold side-by-side: Susan, who had no shortage of suitors, remained an unmarried teacher, and Elizabeth, married to a prominent abolitionist and soon with a house full of children. When Elizabeth moves to Seneca Falls, New York, she begins to plan together with her friends the first "Woman's Rights Convention." They drafted a Declaration of Sentiments, based on the Declaration of Independence, with a resolution on the right of suffrage. Elizabeth's own husband would not agree to it, and the convention was ridiculed in newspapers across the country. But Elizabeth was not intimidated; more women's rights conventions followed, although Elizabeth was unable to attend due to pregnancies and her small children. However, she would write speeches and letters that were read at these meetings by others.
Elizabeth and Susan were eventually introduced by fellow suffragist Amelia Bloomer and immediately hit it off, although at this time Susan did not share Elizabeth's intense commitment to women's rights, being passionately committed instead to the temperance movement. However, Susan's focus soon shifted to the issue of suffrage, as she began to realize that without the vote women couldn't push effectively for any other political changes.
The two women's skills complemented each other very well; Elizabeth didn't have the freedom to travel and make speeches as often as Susan because of her many children, so she often wrote the speeches that Susan then delivered all over the country. Colman takes us chronologically through both of these icons of women's rights long lives, as each continued fighting to the bitter end to see the vote passed for women.
There are many excellent web resources on these two remarkable women. Just to name a few to start with, for more on the web on Susan B. Anthony, see the website for her home in Rochester, New York, now a museum and Winningthevote.org, a project of the Rochester Regional Library Council. For more on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, see Elizabethcadystanton.org and the website for Elizabeth Cady Stanton's house, now run by the National Park Service, which includes this attractive brochure/flyer from the Park Service on Elizabeth's life in Seneca Falls.
I highly recommend this book for purchase by school and public libraries; it could be used for both school reports and also for pleasure reading by young people interested in biographies of great figures from history.
April 18, 2013
SUMMARY: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan Brownell Anthony were pioneering feminists who fought for woman's suffrage for over half a century. Their passion and complementary personalities rallied their contemporaries, their nation, and finally the world as they inspired thousands upon thousands to confront their beliefs about the role of women in society and in the home. Penny Colman explores their 50 year friendship from the time they were considered outrageous radicals to the time when, through much labor and sacrifice, they became revered revolutionaries.
THE GOOD: Coleman tells each woman's individual story well and weaves the two nicely together when the women begin their friendship and fight for a common cause. She never gives one any more precedence than the other and is careful to maintain the context of the times. It is also an easy read and the subjects are very interesting. She paints a very nice picture of each personality and the book flows rather well. An added bonus is the list of namesakes and places to visit, as well as the timeline in the back.
THE NOT- SO- GOOD: The nature of the content itself lags in some places, and certain subjects, like the reconciliation with Lucy Stone, are handled too briefly. Much detail is given about their fellow pioneers in the beginning, but only a few are mentioned at the end.
IN CONCLUSION: I really enjoyed it. It was easy to follow along; Anthony, Stanton, and their fellow laborers are truly inspiring and I learned so much about the fight for equal rights not only for women, but for slaves as well. Colman also sheds light on rights and privileges today's women take for granted that were hard- earned victories (riding a bike anyone?) for these early suffragists. It normally takes me a little longer to read history books, but this was interesting enough and well- enough paced that I actually carried it with me to read in my spare time. It also motivated me to look into more of her books and more into early suffragettes.
THE GOOD: Coleman tells each woman's individual story well and weaves the two nicely together when the women begin their friendship and fight for a common cause. She never gives one any more precedence than the other and is careful to maintain the context of the times. It is also an easy read and the subjects are very interesting. She paints a very nice picture of each personality and the book flows rather well. An added bonus is the list of namesakes and places to visit, as well as the timeline in the back.
THE NOT- SO- GOOD: The nature of the content itself lags in some places, and certain subjects, like the reconciliation with Lucy Stone, are handled too briefly. Much detail is given about their fellow pioneers in the beginning, but only a few are mentioned at the end.
IN CONCLUSION: I really enjoyed it. It was easy to follow along; Anthony, Stanton, and their fellow laborers are truly inspiring and I learned so much about the fight for equal rights not only for women, but for slaves as well. Colman also sheds light on rights and privileges today's women take for granted that were hard- earned victories (riding a bike anyone?) for these early suffragists. It normally takes me a little longer to read history books, but this was interesting enough and well- enough paced that I actually carried it with me to read in my spare time. It also motivated me to look into more of her books and more into early suffragettes.
March 21, 2013
Explore into the 1820s to the 1900s as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fight for women’s rights like never before. You wouldn’t think that a single friendship could make a difference in world history until you read and discover about the lives of these two amazing women. In Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony written by Penny Colman, Elizabeth and Susan grow up in a time where women did not have the basic rights that men and women have today. Both women struggled throughout their childhood with this problem. After meeting when they were both around thirty, they began to take action to fix this. The story tells about the many organizations that they took a part of and also the ones that they made and they led. It shows the triumphs and failures they both experienced throughout their lifetime of fighting for women’s rights. The theme of this book is to keep fighting for what you believe in no matter what. If Elizabeth and Susan had listened to the people criticizing their work and putting them down, they would have never gotten as far as they did with women’s rights. Another theme is that you have to overcome events that happened in the past in order to live life to the fullest in the future. Many deaths of close friends and family occurred in these two women’s lives. It was important for them to move on to helping the greater good and not dwelling on what had happened to them in the past. Although this book contained some very interesting information, I found myself getting bored at times, so I would recommend this to readers who are very into nonfiction books. Also, it doesn’t have a lot of dialogue. Read this book if you are a teenager or an adult who is very into nonfiction and have liked books of a similar topic before reading this.
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