ELIZABETH CADY STANTON-FIREBRAND---CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES

****CHERRANNE'S GREAT WOMEN SERIES****

Elizabeth Cady Stanton-Hero and Firebrand

I have always felt that there are as many brands of feminism as there are feminists. The world over, Women's lots have been SO varied especially compared to men. There are a few great women in history, however, who have had the vision to bring women together in a common cause despite the diametric differences among them-Elizabeth Cady Stanton is foremost among them. The only problem is that when a woman claims that furthering women's rights and opportunities benefits all humanity, She is immediately under scrutiny and criticism if she seems to put all emphasis on the issue of feminism as opposed to other social issues. This is the problem that Stanton faced when Frederick Douglas and other suffragettes of her age thought it more important to emancipate African-Americans rather than put effort into the cause of women (which at that time was basically the issue of the right for Women to vote). Stanton is a Hero of mine. Her writings and speeches are among the greatest(and most underappreciated) stuff ever written. If You haven't read Stanton's "Solitude of Self", read it NOW!!! She lays out her philosophies about human rights and Women's rights in astounding clarity with the astuteness of a Seasoned Lawyer. Here is a link that will take You to it: http://www.pbs.org/stantonanthony/resources/index.html?body=solitude_self.html -it is sublime. Before that, She drafted the Declaration of Sentiments numbering the injustices that women faced and declaring a bill of rights at the 1848 Women's Rights Convention-The link: http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/book-sum/seneca3.html .

Stanton, a mother to seven children is known as a "girly-girl" type in manner and dress, but intellectually is without peer. Her writings are the foundation of Modern Woman's suffrage. She dealt with gross treatment and disrespect. The bravery She is famous for has paved a smoother road for Women in this country. She also was involved in the Emancipation movement for African-American slaves, and the Temperance Movement. I honor Stanton. She is without a doubt one of the Greatest People in History; and for sure one of the most underrated. I highly recommend that anyone and everyone watch the Ken Burns film Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. It is SO well researched and fabulously well-done (as are all Burns films). It is gratifying to see this kind of tribute.