== Lucy Stone (and Henry Blackwell)’s Marriage Protest, 1855 ==

== Lucy Stone (and Henry Blackwell)’s Marriage Protest, 1855 ==

The marriage protest I compared to a modern day pre-nuptial agreement. With Lucy having this agreement read at her wedding she took a strong stance for women's rights as did her husband and those who attended the wedding. I think her fight against William Blackstone's words, "the existence of the wife is suspended during marriage." spoke louder than any sewing circle. Lucy wanted an equal partnership in her marriage and with this agreement believed she would get it, but I question how was the protest enforced? Did her husband truly agree to all six points in the protest? If so, I strongly commend him for standing by his wife in her fight for women's rights and hope he set a further example for marriages in the 1850s. -Megan W.

The marriage protest I compared to a modern day pre-nuptial agreement. With Lucy having this agreement read at her wedding she took a strong stance for women's rights as did her husband and those who attended the wedding. I think her fight against William Blackstone's words, "the existence of the wife is suspended during marriage." spoke louder than any sewing circle. '''Lucy wanted an equal partnership in her marriage and with this agreement believed she would get it, but I question how was the protest enforced? Did her husband truly agree to all six points in the protest?''' If so, I strongly commend him for standing by his wife in her fight for women's rights and hope he set a further example for marriages in the 1850s. -Megan W.

The introduction to this piece noted that Lucy Stone endured much ridicule and persecution for her protest, but it does not mention how others regarded Henry Blackwell, Lucy’s husband. I would think that those opposed to the protest would also ridicule Blackwell for his perceived inability to keep Lucy submissive to him. I think Blackwell’s actions were very brave and liberal-thinking because he gave society a large opportunity to question his masculinity.  -Allison Luthern

'''The introduction to this piece noted that Lucy Stone endured much ridicule and persecution for her protest, but it does not mention how others regarded Henry Blackwell, Lucy’s husband.''' I would think that those opposed to the protest would also ridicule Blackwell for his perceived inability to keep Lucy submissive to him. I think Blackwell’s actions were very brave and liberal-thinking because he gave society a large opportunity to question his masculinity.  -Allison Luthern

This protest was very interesting.  That the husband would sign this very rebellious statement during a time when the man is viewed as the head of the household seemed very liberal of him.  My question would be was how did this protest stand legally? Many of the portions of this protest include legal issues such as guardianship over children, laws over wills, property, and the rejection of feme covert.  Did this really do anything outside of the house?-- Elyse Lawrence

This protest was very interesting.  That the husband would sign this very rebellious statement during a time when the man is viewed as the head of the household seemed very liberal of him.  '''My question would be was how did this protest stand legally?''' Many of the portions of this protest include legal issues such as guardianship over children, laws over wills, property, and the rejection of feme covert.  Did this really do anything outside of the house?-- Elyse Lawrence

wow! This was really cool! I wonder if she was one of the first women to keep her own name when she got married. I also wonder if this agreement had any standing in a court of law, but regardless it was a very compelling act of rebellion against the legal system in regards to married womens rights. I know the story mentioned that Lucy received ridicule for her actions but I would find it hard to believe that her husband didn't receive that and much worse from other men. Both her and her husbands actions are extremely commendable and I hope that it inspired other women of that time to demand the same sort of rights in their own marriages.---Emma Peck

wow! This was really cool! I wonder if she was one of the first women to keep her own name when she got married. I also wonder if this agreement had any standing in a court of law, but regardless it was a very compelling act of rebellion against the legal system in regards to married womens rights. I know the story mentioned that Lucy received ridicule for her actions but I would find it hard to believe that her husband didn't receive that and much worse from other men. Both her and her husbands actions are extremely commendable and I hope that it inspired other women of that time to demand the same sort of rights in their own marriages.---Emma Peck

== Isablle Graham and Society for Relief of Poor Widows, 1806 ==

== Isablle Graham and Society for Relief of Poor Widows, 1806 ==

I found it interesting how much Isabella Graham invoked the idea that, as Christian women, it was both their moral and religious duty to fight against slavery, which they saw as a sin. She considers them "blessed", as well as "Good Samaritans". These religious sentiments are echoed in the next document, the minutes of the meeting of the Anti-Slavery Convention in 1837, which starts off with a reading of the Scripture and offering of prayer, and then goes on to state the necessity of "treading" in the "Redeemer's" steps and preserving "God's gift of freedom." I didn't realize how much of a role religion played in the Abolition movement, or perhaps how much it was expressed. I also thought it was interesting how Isabella Graham seemed to encourage the women in their "duties", portraying the widows as less fortunate and in need of assistance ("the approach of winter is as the approach of death.") -Allison Godart

'''I found it interesting how much Isabella Graham invoked the idea that, as Christian women, it was both their moral and religious duty to fight against slavery, which they saw as a sin.''' She considers them "blessed", as well as "Good Samaritans". These religious sentiments are echoed in the next document, the minutes of the meeting of the Anti-Slavery Convention in 1837, which starts off with a reading of the Scripture and offering of prayer, and then goes on to state the necessity of "treading" in the "Redeemer's" steps and preserving "God's gift of freedom." I didn't realize how much of a role religion played in the Abolition movement, or perhaps how much it was expressed. I also thought it was interesting how Isabella Graham seemed to encourage the women in their "duties", portraying the widows as less fortunate and in need of assistance ("the approach of winter is as the approach of death.") -Allison Godart

I agree with Allison she invoked the image of the Christian woman. I think this is a clever idea because middle class women saw themselves as morally superior to men. I think it is interesting that she agrees that widow try hard to get money so they are not just asking for handouts. Thinks have changes since then. Many Americans consider welfare a handout and yet these people are doing it to improve the lives of others. - LeAnn Taggart

I agree with Allison she invoked the image of the Christian woman. I think this is a clever idea because middle class women saw themselves as morally superior to men. I think it is interesting that she agrees that widow try hard to get money so they are not just asking for handouts. Thinks have changes since then. Many Americans consider welfare a handout and yet these people are doing it to improve the lives of others. - LeAnn Taggart

== Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women, 1837 ==

== Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women, 1837 ==

Compared to what I learned about the Constitutional Conventions and early Congress in my Revolution class, a lot of things seemed to be accomplished in this convention.  They had 8 revolutions passed in the first day, in fact, everything seemed to pass. However, this could simply be the fact that so many like-minded individuals chose to meet at this group whereas elected/appointed officials who may not share the same view were in the Constitutional Conventions or Congress, this leads to debate. Just wondering, about how long would these conventions last? –Megan Mc.

Compared to what I learned about the Constitutional Conventions and early Congress in my Revolution class, a lot of things seemed to be accomplished in this convention.  They had 8 revolutions passed in the first day, in fact, everything seemed to pass. However, this could simply be the fact that so many like-minded individuals chose to meet at this group whereas elected/appointed officials who may not share the same view were in the Constitutional Conventions or Congress, this leads to debate. '''Just wondering, about how long would these conventions last?''' –Megan Mc.

== American Female Reform Society Warns Mothers of “Solitary Vice”, 1839 ==

== American Female Reform Society Warns Mothers of “Solitary Vice”, 1839 ==

Wow.  I didn't think for a minute that this was going to be about masturbation.  The writer associates a whole bizarre assortment of problems and causes with "Solitary Vice".  As a cause, it sounds like she blames "rich and high seasoned food" and poor hygeine, and tragically, what sounds like some form of molestation.  And it sounds like the ultimate effect is allegedly insanity.  If the moral movements against prostitution and alcohol had concerns in overall social health, particularly for women, I wonder how masturbation would have been perceived to have been a detriment to society.  Also, though, what an awkward thing to write. - erin b.

Wow.  I didn't think for a minute that this was going to be about masturbation.  The writer associates a whole bizarre assortment of problems and causes with "Solitary Vice".  '''As a cause, it sounds like she blames "rich and high seasoned food" and poor hygeine, and tragically, what sounds like some form of molestation.  And it sounds like the ultimate effect is allegedly insanity.''' If the moral movements against prostitution and alcohol had concerns in overall social health, particularly for women, I wonder how masturbation would have been perceived to have been a detriment to society.  Also, though, what an awkward thing to write. - erin b.

== 1848, Elizabeth McClintock and Elizabeth Cady Stanton defend the Declaration of Sentiments and the 1848 convention ==

== 1848, Elizabeth McClintock and Elizabeth Cady Stanton defend the Declaration of Sentiments and the 1848 convention ==

== 1852, Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book ==

== 1852, Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book ==

While this passage consisted of only a paragraph, I found it interesting how Mrs. Hale took a stance on voting. She did not think women needed the right to vote when they could influence the men in their lives, yet did the men not have the final say so in the home? I think this passage took a step backwards for the women's movement, while yes women could attempt to influence men did they really? This was not like the Native Americans in which women could keep food from men if things did not go their way. I think this passage serves to represent women as subservient  to their husbands and or sons. -Megan W.

'''While this passage consisted of only a paragraph, I found it interesting how Mrs. Hale took a stance on voting. She did not think women needed the right to vote when they could influence the men in their lives, yet did the men not have the final say so in the home?''' I think this passage took a step backwards for the women's movement, while yes women could attempt to influence men did they really? This was not like the Native Americans in which women could keep food from men if things did not go their way. I think this passage serves to represent women as subservient  to their husbands and or sons. -Megan W.

I also found in interesting that Mrs. Hale did not think that women needed the right to vote. I'm sure some women did have profound influence over their husbands, especially in those in companionate marriages. However, I have trouble believing that a husband would vote a certain way just because the little woman at home says so. I agree with Megan that this seems like a step backward. After reading passages by women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, its strange to read a piece like this. -Katelyn Lease

I also found in interesting that Mrs. Hale did not think that women needed the right to vote. I'm sure some women did have profound influence over their husbands, especially in those in companionate marriages. However, I have trouble believing that a husband would vote a certain way just because the little woman at home says so. '''I agree with Megan that this seems like a step backward.''' After reading passages by women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, its strange to read a piece like this. -Katelyn Lease