Racism in Women's Suffrage

Paper Summary:

Although movements in women's activism in the United States have been mounted by members of all racial backgrounds, issues of race have consistently pervaded such campaigns, both internally and externally. This paper looks at internal racism in the women's suffrage movement from turn of the century America and how racism affected, damaged and aided the struggle for the vote.

From the Paper:

"Progress in women's suffrage began to be made when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, both member of the Society of Friends, journeyed to London. There they acted as delegates in the World Anti-Slavery Convention, but were refused permission to speak based on their gender. Although they returned outraged, nevertheless a similar disenfranchisement occurred at the first convention on women's rights. Held at Seneca Falls in 1848, the meeting saw a noticeable absence of black women-none attended. Although black men had been invited (Frederick Douglass was a speaker), black women were discouraged from participating."

More papers on Racism in Women's Suffrage:

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