Susan B. Anthony

Sara A. and Trevor B. presented this morning tribute written by my wife to this tireless worker for women's rights. Here's the script:

Susan B Anthony was born in 1820, in Massachusetts. She was bright, inspiring,

and powerful. When she saw people being treated unfairly, or being bullied, she

spoke up. She was a teacher who thought boys and girls both should be educated

in schools together. She thought slavery was wrong and worked to abolish it. She

spoke up. She thought woman should have control over their property, and their

children, in case of divorce.

But above all, she thought American women, not just men, should have the right

to vote. She was in favor of suffrage. Not suffering! Suffrage is a funny word

that means two slightly different things---the right to be able to vote, and the

act of voting itself.

Can you imagine if your Mom or your grandmother was told, sorry, no voting for

you. Why? Because you’re a woman! Doesn’t that seem ridiculous? Susan B Anthony

and others who followed her, both women and men, spoke up! They organized, they

marched, and they picketed. Sometimes they were tossed in jail. It's hard to

persuade people to change their minds, isn't it?

Your great grandmothers could not vote until 1920, one hundred years after Susan

B Anthony was born. The 19th amendment to the Constitution assured that women

could vote.

Smart, strong, tireless women and men worked together to end the injustice.