Declaration of Sentiments
Declaration of Sentiments
The Declarations of sentiments was arguably the most significant document in
history for the advancement of women in the nineteenth century America. It was made
famous at the first Woman’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York, in July
of 1848. Drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the declaration outlined a series of
grievances resulting from the unfair treatment of women and proposed eleven resolutions
arguing that women had the right to equality in all aspects of their lives, including the
right to vote. Despite the declarations significance, however, it would be seventy-two
years later that women finally won the right to vote.
In early societies, women bore children, cared for the home, and helped maintain
the family. Males dominated in early society from the time of the earliest written
historical records. It was believed that women were naturally weaker and inferior to men.
Therefore, in most traditional societies, women generally were at a disadvantage.
Women were not allowed to vote, work, get an education, or be involved in the church.
Married women were legally dead in the eyes of the law and had no property rights.
Women had to submit to laws when they had no voice in their formation. In early
society, women were robbed of their self-confidence and self respect. 2 Metz
The events leading up to the 1848 convention date back to 1840, when Stanton
attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London and was denied a seat at the
convention because she was a woman. She then attended a small social gathering near
her home in Seneca Falls, where she laid out her list of grievances about the treatment of
women in society. From this small gathering the convention was then planned and the
Declaration of Sentiments was formed. The Declaration proposed reforms in all areas of
women’s lives. Included
The Declarations of sentiments was arguably the most significant document in
history for the advancement of women in the nineteenth century America. It was made
famous at the first Woman’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York, in July
of 1848. Drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the declaration outlined a series of
grievances resulting from the unfair treatment of women and proposed eleven resolutions
arguing that women had the right to equality in all aspects of their lives, including the
right to vote. Despite the declarations significance, however, it would be seventy-two
years later that women finally won the right to vote.
In early societies, women bore children, cared for the home, and helped maintain
the family. Males dominated in early society from the time of the earliest written
historical records. It was believed that women were naturally weaker and inferior to men.
Therefore, in most traditional societies, women generally were at a disadvantage.
Women were not allowed to vote, work, get an education, or be involved in the church.
Married women were legally dead in the eyes of the law and had no property rights.
Women had to submit to laws when they had no voice in their formation. In early
society, women were robbed of their self-confidence and self respect. 2 Metz
The events leading up to the 1848 convention date back to 1840, when Stanton
attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London and was denied a seat at the
convention because she was a woman. She then attended a small social gathering near
her home in Seneca Falls, where she laid out her list of grievances about the treatment of
women in society. From this small gathering the convention was then planned and the
Declaration of Sentiments was formed. The Declaration proposed reforms in all areas of
women’s lives. Included
Cited: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, A History of Woman Suffrage Vol. 1. Rochester New York. Fowler and Wells 1889. DuBois, Ellen Carol, ed. The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Susan B. Anthony Reader: Correspondence, Writings, Speeches, Rev. ed. Boston: Northeastern University Press 1992. Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. Address of Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Delivered at Seneca Falls& Rochester, N.Y. July 19th & August 2nd 1848. New York: Robert J. Johnston, 1870. Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds. History of Woman Suffrage. 3 vols. New York: Fowler & Wells 1881-1886. Gurko, Miriam. The Ladies of Seneca Falls: The birth of the Woman’s Rights Movement. New York: Macmillan 1974. Ward, Geoffrey C., and Ken Burns. An Illustrated History. New York: Knopf, 1999. Denise D. Knight.