In July of 1848, the first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York.  The convention had only been advertised one week before it started in the Seneca County Courier.  It was advertised as “a convention to discuss the social, civil and religious condition and rights of Women.”  It also stated that “during the first day, the meeting will be exclusively for Women, which all are earnestly invited to attend.  The public generally are invited to be present on the second day.”  Even though there was very little publicity on this major event in history, there was about 300 attendees, but most of them lived locally.  Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the convention’s organizer.  This was where she gave her first public speech.  Her speech provided insight to what the convention’s goals and purpose was.  Her speech stated that they protest “to declare our right to be as free as a man is free.”  Elizabeth Cady Stanton also discussed the Declaration of Sentiments.  The Declaration of Sentiments called for, broader education and professional opportunities for women and the right of married women to control their wages and property.  The Declaration of Sentiments was very similar to the Declaration of Independence, but it expressed the goal of giving women the rights and freedoms that men are given.  The Declaration of Sentiments was debated and put to a vote on the second day of the convention.  This convention was the beginning of the woman’s rights movement and the pathway to the ratification of the 19^th amendment.

“Today in History - July 19.” The Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-19.

“Woman Suffrage and the 19th Amendment.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/woman-suffrage#background.