The Fight for Women's Right to Vote

Happy Birthday to a warrior for Women's Rights.

The birthday of one of my heros is today. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born 195 years ago November 12. She is one of several women who helped gain women the right to vote, which recently had it's own anniversary. The 19th Amendment grantinging women the right to vote in the United States was approved 90 years ago in August.

The American women’s suffrage movement won a great victory after years and years of fighting for women’s rights. It took mass marches, protests, and hunger strikes. Women even went to jail for their cause.

How different would our country be today if women never won the right to vote?  Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, and Julia Ward Howe are just some of the amazing women who were important leaders in the suffragist movement.

You can go back further in history and find women like the Grimke sisters, who also worked to end slavery  during the Civil War. They are credited with inspiring many suffragist women to carry the battle for women's rights into the 20th century.

Then there are men like Representative Harry Burn who voted for the 19th Amendment awarding women the right to vote to become the law of the land. These people all deserve a big thank you for what they did.

I’m very proud to say that when I turn 18, I’ll be able to register to vote and have my voice heard. I can’t wait! It will be a pride-filled, exciting moment when I fill out my ballot and turn it in for the very first time.

I’ll even have the chance to be on those ballots when I’m old enough. Who knows? I might even be one of the first women U.S. Presidents, because in this country, I have an equal chance.

"As we recall the giants of women’s suffrage, we can rededicate ourselves to their noble goal: ensuring that full equality is the rule in our country, not the exception," said U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer of California, in a statement issued on the 90th anniversary. "There is no better way to honor the brave women who came before us and to create even more opportunities for those who come next."

—Miranda Rector

PHOTO: Daguerrotype of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her daughter Harriot taken in 1856. (PHOTO CREDIT: Library of Congress)

The Grimke Sisters, Female Abolitionists

Kid Reporter inspired by historic figures' fight for equality.

When I first read about the Grimke Sisters, I was inspired by them. Even though they were white, southern, aristocratic women, they stood up for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights.

As I read about them for a school report, I found that it was the best research project I’ve ever done. They were absolutely fascinating and talented people.

Sarah Grimke (1792-1873) and Angelina Grimke (1805-1879) were born and raised in conservative Charleston, South Carolina. They’re father was a wealthy judge and slave owner who kept to the common beliefs of the South.

The Grimke sisters often felt that they were being treated unfairly since they were not given the same level of education as their brothers. They were also able to see how cruelly slaves were being treated. For both reasons, Sarah and Angelina Grimke felt the need to do something to make things better. 

Angelina became the first woman to ever speak in front of a legislature. She spoke before the Massachusetts legislature against slavery and for women's equality. Both spoke publicly about their beliefs and were eventually forced to move from their southern community to the north. Their call for equal education opportunities and the right to vote for women was taken up by the women's movement.

I find it amazing how, through the power of their words, the Grimke Sisters were able to bring people together in a battle for freedom and equality. As a writer, this is one of my goals, which I truly believe I can achieve.

Equality is also an important issue to me, and it’s great hearing about women who for for multiple aspects of it. Who are some of the women you learned about and admire for Women's HIstory Month?

—Miranda Rector

Why I Like Oprah

Kid Reporter celebrates her Women’s History Month hero

Is it possible to have a troubled childhood and overcome it to become one of the most powerful women in the world? Oprah Winfrey did just that. While many people use their past as an excuse for their failure in the present, Oprah Winfrey used her hardships to energize her and motivate her to succeed.

As a Kid Reporter, I have found great inspiration in Ms. Winfrey because she is a successful journalist. That’s why I am celebrating her accomplishments for Women’s’ History Month.

Today, she is considered one of the most famous woman in the world. In the beginning, however, it was not an easy journey.

Life for Ms. Winfrey was difficult when she was young. She spent her first six years with her grandmother on a farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She moved to Wisconsin with her mother where she was abused. She ran away from home and at age 13 was sent to a juvenile detention center. With no beds available there, she was sent to Nashville to live with her father. He was very strict, but instilled in her the love of reading and learning.

Ms. Winfrey managed to navigate her way to her goals and began her broadcasting career when she was only 17. She studied speech and communications at Tennessee State University. Before the Oprah Winfrey Show was launched, she was a news anchor and hosted a successful local talk show in Chicago, now her home.

Achieving her goals wasn’t enough for Oprah. She also wanted to help others achieve their own dreams. She decided to inspire other people to do their best in life and always brings experts on her show to help people learn.

Ms. Winfrey has earned numerous awards for her amazing work. Time Magazine named her one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Her Angel Network helps people in need and she opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa so that they can have great opportunities as well.

Ms. Winfrey doesn’t just complain about what is wrong—she finds a way to make improvements and inspires others to do the same.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from,” Ms. Winfrey says. “The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”

That’s why I am celebrating Oprah Winfrey for Women’s History Month this March. Who do you look to for inspiration? Click on the blue comment below and let us know!

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: Oprah Winfrey (center) celebrates the opening of her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. (Photo Credit: Jerome Delay/AP Images)

Nellie Bly, My Hero

How one journalist can make a difference.

Elizabeth Cochrane appeared to be a frail girl, but inside of her was a will of iron. After taking up the pen name Nellie Bly at age 18, she started out her career writing for The Dispatch, a Pittsburgh newspaper. She covered controversial issues at the end of the 19th century like divorce, worker’s rights, and the treatment of the mentally ill.

Nellie Bly wasn’t afraid to go behind the scenes as a female reporter, and is one of my heroes. I feel that Nellie Bly is a true example of two main things.

The first is to not judge a book by it’s cover. Even though she appeared to be a delicate young lady, she proved that she was stronger and smarter than many of the male reporters of the time.

Since I’ve been stereotyped for my looks, I always love to learn about women in history who have proved that women can be both pretty, strong, and smart at the same time. It helps feed my courage to do the same.

Bly is also a good example of someone who really took a stand for something she believed in. She took it upon herself to further investigate terrible and gruesome issues. Although at times she was asked to back down, Bly never gave up.

I truly feel this is an amazing thing to do, especially since women were often made to feel like they had no power to change anything. Through her hard work and courage, Nellie Bly was able to do great things and raise awareness for many controversial causes. It’s no wonder the The New York Journal called her the “best reporter in America.” And adding to that, she will always be someone who inspires me.

—Miranda Rector