The Leading Facts. 1. Women shared the hardships and dangers of the early colonists. 2. They did heroic service during the Revolution and in the later progress of the nation; but they had no legal or political rights. 3. Leaders arose among the women demanding for their sex the same rights and privileges that men had. 4. As a girl Elizabeth Cady Stanton became indignant at what she found to be the unequal position of women in almost every walk of life; she resolved to devote her life to the struggle for the rights of women. 5. In 1848 she called the first woman's rights convention, where she made the first public demand for woman suffrage. 6. She met Susan B. Anthony, a school teacher, and won her to the cause. 7. Together they organized the National Woman's Suffrage Association. 8. Their great work succeeded in making woman suffrage an election issue in many states. 9. By 1915 eleven states had been won to woman suffrage; some voting rights had been won in twenty-two other states.
10. Julia Ward Howe was the daughter of wealthy parents and knew little of work. 11. She began to write poetry early. 12. When the Civil War broke out Mrs. Howe wanted to be of service to the Union. 13. She wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," a song that proved a great aid to victory since it cheered the soldiers in the field. 14. After the war Mrs. Howe established women's clubs in all parts of the country for self-improvement among the women, and for social service.
15. Harriet Beecher Stowe as a girl was apt at writing. 16. She resolved to use her talent to help the slaves. 17. Uncle Tom's Cabin helped the North to win the victory by uniting the people against slavery. 18. Frances E. Willard was raised in Wisconsin in frontier days. 19. In school she stood at the head of her class. 20. Joined the anti-saloon crusade; became president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and later of the National Union. 21. Declared herself in favor of woman suffrage. 22. As president of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Miss Willard united the women of the world in a world union for the protection of the home. 23. Clara Barton took up the work of nursing after the first battles of the Civil War. 24. First in the hospitals of Washington, she finally went to the battle fields in order to give the wounded immediate help. 25. The Red Cross Society was founded in Europe; a branch was established in the United States by Miss Barton. 26. Following the great earthquake and fire in San Francisco in 1906, the Red Cross did heroic work in aiding the 250,000 people left homeless and without food.
27. Jane Addams while traveling in Europe was touched by the sight of the poverty and misery everywhere. 28. She determined to devote herself and her fortune to make better and brighter the lives of the poor. 29. She established the Hull House Social Settlement in Chicago.
Study Questions. 1. How did women aid in the progress of the nation? 2. What did they do during the Revolution? during the Civil War? 3. What was their position in law and in affairs of government? 4. Who was the first to champion woman suffrage? 5. Describe Elizabeth Cady in her girlhood. What was her opinion of boys and girls? 6. To what did she determine to devote her life? 7. What was the purpose of the woman's rights convention? 8. What demand was first publicly made at this convention? 9. What was Miss Anthony's occupation before she met Mrs. Stanton? 10. Describe the work of these two women for the cause of woman's rights. 11. In 1915 how many states had granted women the right to vote? 12. Why did Julia Ward Howe know so little of work? 13. What did she like to do? 14. What sights did she see in Washington in 1861? 15. What did she do to serve her country? 16. How could a song count much for victory? 17. What was the purpose of women's clubs? 18. How did Harriet Beecher Stowe serve her country? 19. What book did she write? What was its effect? 20. Describe Frances Willard's girlhood, her home, and surroundings. 21. Why did Miss Willard take up temperance work? 22. Did Miss Willard work hard for temperance, woman's rights, and protection of the home? What makes you think so? 23. How did Miss Willard become of international influence? 24. Where did Clara Barton begin her work of nursing the wounded? 25. Where did she go then, and why? 26. Where was the Red Cross Society founded? 27. What was its purpose? 28. What great service does it perform in time of peace? 29. What was the result of the San Francisco earthquake? 30. How did the Red Cross relieve the distress? 31. How did the sight of poverty and suffering affect Jane Addams? 32. What did she determine to do? 33. What did she establish in Chicago? 34. What did the Social Settlement accomplish? 35. Was it a success?
Suggested Readings. Wade, The Light Bringers, 64-111, 142-171; Adams, Heroines of Modern Progress.