Essay --

The suffrage movement first emerged at the turn of the century and Civil War when African American slaves were denied the right to vote, a benefit that a majority agreed was associated with citizenship, and therefore should be applicable to all freed slaves. This set the grounds for a suffrage movement that later evolved into a larger passing centered on antislavery reform. Joining together to fight for benefits that were being withheld from American citizens, the role of women came into play during this time as the most active abolitionists who came together to get up petitions, conventions, and raise funds to help further the movement. Women played a vital role in being heard through protests and local publications of their thoughts. Novels such as Uncle Toms Cabin and Clotel, along with articles in popular news publications, shed much light and attention on anti-slavery reform, while also sparking the divine guidance for womens rights (Britton, 2006). As this movement was slowly developing, women continued to fight for anti-slavery reform. During this, opponents to women participation in the efforts came forth and voiced their own critical opinions. Around 1837, the General association of Congregational Ministers of Massachusetts had issued their Pastoral Letter, a response to the political activity of the Grimkes, two sisters who were heavily active and public in their fight for anti-slavery reform. In this letter, the ministers urged women to go down stepping out of the public sphere and to instead embrace the private, encouraging the cultivation of private Christian character, and private efforts for the spiritual good of individuals (General Association, 2006). In response to these views, Susan Grimke challenged the le... ...of the electoral vote in critical swing states necessary for Obamas reelection victory (Casserly, 2012). Candidates now address issues entirely centered on womens needs and concerns, wise(p) any win is impossible without suppor t of female voters. This validates the current power women hold in the political arena today, and the impact their voice has made to fiat since being granted the freedom to vote. Through the use of messages such as public conventions, speeches, literary pieces, published works, unions, groups, and memorabilia, the suffrage movements goal of achieving partake voting rights for women to be the same as men can be credited as providing the stomping grounds for women to seek a stronger hand in decree and to the evolution of womens rights to include equal freedoms to men in arenas such as education, the work force, and military involvement.