Introducing Feminism

close of the convention, a “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” was read out. Its style imitated and parodied the US Declaration of Independence, beginning with “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal

YOU CAN’T HAVE SCHOLARS AND SAINTS SO LONG AS YOUR MOTHERS ARE GROUND TO POWDER BETWEEN THE UPPER AND NETHER MILLSTONE OF TYRANNY AND LUST.
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long as your women are slaves you may throw your colleges and churches to the winds”.

mercantile and uncertain speculation of ‘damages’, – the wonderful indecency of our diverce trials, – the incredible fact that the woman accused is allowed no direct defence, and cannot appear by counsel on such occasions, – the loth and reluctant admission of the right of a mother to her inhant children, – are alike odious and incomprehensible.”

precursor of the 1870 act which allowed married women control over their financial earnings and inherited property.

Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857

his high-profile legal case resulted in the passing of the Infant Custody Act in 1839, allowing mothers of “irreproachable character” custody of children under the age of seven and regular access to older children.

the early 19th century, married women in Europe and the USA had no legal identity apart from their husbands

WE STARTED TO CAMPAIGN FOR PARTICULAR REFORMS, NOT BECAUSE WE SAW OURSELVES AS FEMINISTS, BUT BECAUSE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN OUR LIVES FORCED US TO PROTEST AND MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD

individual cases where the law was being challenged were gradually being made public.