Essay on Succesful American Women

Submitted By johnsonv815
Words: 841
Pages: 4

Successful American Women

In the 1800’s many women strived for social and sexual mores, and struggled for the participation in the work force and political ground. Several of these women achieved success because of their determination and drive to spread their ideas. Such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who were both abolitionists. Stowe publicly expressed her thoughts and beliefs through her writings in a time where women could not speak publicly. Truth also did this by writing about the evils of slavery, the cruelty done to her African American race and the disrespect of her gender. There was also Susan B. Anthony who made great speeches to the public about her hardships of being a woman. All three of these women stood up for their beliefs no matter what difficulties they were faced with. Sojourner Truth faced many challenges dealing with the arguments against women’s rights. She was an ex slave who was ready to express her beliefs. She was also an African American woman and not respected by many, but that didn’t stop her. She once said, “ he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him” (Truth, 744). This was her response when men would make prejudice comments against women. During a convention where she was speaking about how blacks were treated differently she said, “That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman?” (Pg. 743). This targeted at the idea that women are just as capable as men. “I have ploughed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me. And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man--when I could get it-- and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? “(743). Sojourner Truth was bold and brave and refused to back down to any men that stood in her way. Women in the 1800's began the crusade for social, economic, and political equality, however not all fought for women's rights. Born June 14, 1811, Harriet Beecher Stowe used her writing skills to speak up against the oppression and abuse directed toward the enslaved African Americans of her era. Harriet began her career writing poems, travel books, biographical sketches, children's books, as well as adult novels. Harriet's most famous book, Uncle Toms Cabin, was written for the Washington anti-slavery weekly and was very controversial. Harriet knew the abuse and violence slaves had to endure from living in the southern slave state of Cincinnati. Soon Uncle Toms Cabin was the second best seller, behind the bible, and Harriet became a well-known slave abolitionist. Fallowing the publication of the book she wrote several other anti slave novels such as Dred, and the Key to Uncle Toms Cabin as well as speaking against slavery both in America and Europe. Harriet Beecher Stowe is not only an American hero but also one of the most inspirational women of her era. She spoke out against the evils