This post is the first of two posts dedicated to learning about the women and men behind the suffrage movement in the United States. Some are names you have heard before, but some might be new to you. Hope you enjoy reading about these players and are inspired by their stories.

Abigail Adams (1744 – 1818) writes to her husband, John, who is attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, asking that he and the other men--who were at work on the Declaration of Independence--"Remember the Ladies." John responds with humor. The Declaration's wording specifies that "all men are created equal."

Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) Symbol of the suffrage movement, Anthony was a strategist with sharp political instincts, the driving force behind the National Woman Suffrage Association, and single minded champion of a federal amendment.

Henry Blackwell (1829 – 1909) An early advocate of woman suffrage and abolition, Henry Blackwell joined his wife, Lucy Stone, in devoting their lives to these causes. In 1867 he wrote a message to Southern legislature proposing the extension of woman suffrage to counterbalance African American suffrage. Two years later he devoted most of his time and money to help his wife in organize the American Woman Suffrage Association.

Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818-1894) launches the dress reform movement with a costume bearing her name. The Bloomer costume was later abandoned by many suffragists who feared it detracted attention from more serious women's rights issues.

Myra Bradwell (1831 – 1894) pioneer woman lawyer, first woman in U.S. to practice law, subject of Bradwell v. Illinois Supreme Court decision, author of legislation for women's rights; first woman member of the Illinois Bar Association; first woman member of the Illinois Press Association

Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) With Anthony, Catt reorganized the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1890, and then unified the movement in 1916 with her secret “Winning Plan.”
Catt called for the formation of a League of Women Voters in 1919.

Julia Ward Howe (1819 – 1910) is best known as the author of the famous poem "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Julia was an ambitious woman. The mother of six children, she was also a published author and poet. Julia read and spoke seven languages and despite the challenges of her husband and her times, she carved out a career for herself as an author, preacher, teacher, and activist. Her fame allowed her to lead the struggle for many causes such as abolition, Woman's Suffrage and Universal World Peace.

Mary Lyon (1797-1849) founds Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, eventually the first four-year college exclusively for women in the United States. Mt. Holyoke was followed by Vassar in 1861, and Wellesley and Smith Colleges, both in 1875. In 1873, the School Sisters of Notre Dame found a school in Baltimore, Maryland, which would eventually become the nation's first college for Catholic women.

Sources: National Women’s History Project and National Association Woman Suffrage Collection