Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I was born on November 12th, 1815, in a town called Johnstown, New York. Even when I was a little girl, I noticed that the world had different rules for boys and girls. I loved to learn and read books, but people thought it was more important for boys to go to school. I didn’t think that was fair at all, and I knew, deep in my heart, that everyone should have the same chances to learn and dream.

As I grew up, I learned more about the laws in our country. My father was a judge, and I spent a lot of time in his office, listening and reading his big law books. I saw that many laws were unfair to women. Women couldn't own property or have the same jobs as men. And most importantly, they couldn't vote! I decided I had to do something. So, in the summer of 1848, I gathered my friends in Seneca Falls, New York, for the very first meeting about women’s rights. I wrote a paper called the Declaration of Sentiments, which said that women and men are created equal and should have the same rights.

A few years later, in 1851, I met a wonderful woman named Susan B. Anthony. We became best friends and a super team! We both wanted to change the world for women. I was very busy at home with my seven children, so I would write powerful speeches and articles. Then, Susan, who was a fantastic speaker, would travel all over the country to share our ideas with everyone. We worked together for more than 50 years!

I spent my whole life writing and speaking out for fairness. I wanted every girl to know she was just as smart, strong, and important as any boy. I lived to be 86 years old. Although I didn't live long enough to see women get the right to vote, the ideas I shared helped make it happen years after I was gone. I'm remembered for helping start the long journey for women's rights, and for always believing that every voice deserves to be heard.