{"id":54,"date":"2023-10-09T23:25:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T23:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/openpress.digital.conncoll.edu\/feministtheory\/?post_type=chapter&p=54"},"modified":"2025-01-07T19:56:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T19:56:01","slug":"first-wave-feminism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/openpress.digital.conncoll.edu\/feministtheory\/chapter\/first-wave-feminism\/","title":{"rendered":"First Wave Feminism"},"content":{"raw":"First Wave Feminism is defined as the time period from 1848 to 1920. Although the beginning of this initial \u201cwave\u201d of female activism began with the Women's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, New York, that was held in 1848, this era drew inspiration from the French Revolution and Abolitionist Movement. It was at this first meeting that a group of over 300 women and male supporters signed the \u201cDeclaration of Sentiments\u201d proclaiming that all men and women were equal, women had a right to education and property, and suffrage (Alexander 2021). The purpose of first wave feminism then became primarily about securing a woman\u2019s right to vote which, they believed, was the key to receiving more rights (Alexander\u00a0 2021).\r\n\r\nOne of the trailblazers of this movement was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was essential to the fight for women\u2019s rights, known for her intellect, writing, and unwavering commitment to social reform. Born in 1815 in Johnstown, New York, Stanton grew up in a family with considerable legal influence, her father was a prominent judge, and she was well-educated for a woman of her time. This background provided her with unique insights into the law, which shaped her perspective on women\u2019s rights. Stanton was particularly influenced by her father's dismissive attitudes toward women\u2019s legal standing, inspiring her to advocate for change.\r\n\r\nIn her keynote speech at the Seneca Falls Convention, Stanton firmly positioned the pursuit of women\u2019s rights as part of America\u2019s democratic ideals. As the primary author of the \"Declaration of Sentiments,\" Stanton crafted a powerful message that resonated widely and shaped the movement. The document listed 16 grievances and 11 resolutions concerning women\u2019s civil, social, political, and religious rights, calling for equality and demanding radical changes. One of Stanton\u2019s key arguments was that women\u2019s subjugation violated the founding principles of American democracy, saying in her speech, \u201cThe right is ours. The question now is: how shall we get possession of what rightfully belongs to us?\u201d (Stanton 1848). By framing the movement in the language of freedom and equality, Stanton made it clear that gender equality was not a fringe or isolated cause but a fundamental aspect of justice and liberty.\r\n\r\nStanton\u2019s demand for women\u2019s suffrage became the central goal of the first wave of feminism, defining the movement\u2019s focus for decades. At a time when few imagined women could or should vote, Stanton\u2019s bold call for suffrage set her apart and became a rallying point for the movement. This focus on the vote as a means of social and political influence provided the early women\u2019s movement with a clear, unifying goal. It inspired a generation of activists, including Susan B. Anthony, who became one of Stanton\u2019s closest allies. Together, Stanton and Anthony traveled widely to give speeches, lobby policymakers, and organize conventions, expanding the reach and influence of the movement.\r\n\r\nThe Seneca Falls Convention and Stanton\u2019s keynote speech defined the first wave of feminism by emphasizing both the breadth of women\u2019s grievances and the need for systemic change. Stanton didn\u2019t limit her vision to one or two rights but called for a fundamental restructuring of society to address inequities in education, employment, marriage, and public life. In her speech she summarizes these goals by saying, \u201cBut we are assembled to protest against a form of government existing without the consent of the governed - to declare our right to be free as man is free, to be represented in the government which we are taxed to support, to have such is graceful laws as give man the power to chastise and imprison his wife, to take the wages which she earns, the property which she inherits, and, in case of separation, the children of her love; laws which make her the mere dependent on his bounty\u201d (Stanton 1848). Her speech established the tone of urgency and determination that came to characterize the women\u2019s rights movement for decades. It also set a precedent for future feminist waves by linking women\u2019s rights to broader democratic values, a strategy that lent the movement moral authority and broad appeal.\r\n\r\nStanton\u2019s keynote speech thus represented a starting point that gave coherence and focus to the first wave of feminism. Her declaration and its call for suffrage framed the movement as both revolutionary and essential to the American democratic promise. This laid a lasting foundation for the fight for women\u2019s equality, setting into motion a struggle that would ultimately achieve the right to vote in 1920 with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, a crowning achievement for the movement Stanton helped to ignite. Her contributions left an enduring impact on feminist philosophy, stressing that justice for women is inseparable from the ideals of freedom and equality, ideals she believed were vital to realizing America\u2019s full democratic potential.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nElizabeth Cady Stanton (Credit: Brittanica)\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAlthough Stanton was incredibly influential in defining the parameters of this movement, not all women's perspectives or immediate needs were captured by her limited view as an affluent white woman. Women of other races and classes, specifically Black women, were not only approaching the issue from a different set of experiences, but also were not invited or welcome to participate in white feminist conventions and meetings. Thus, there was a need for trailblazers such as Isabella Bomfree, later named Sojourner Truth, to communicate those perspectives and ensure their voices were not forgotten. As a former slave who spoke nationally about feminism, abolition, and securing suffrage for all races, Sojourner Truth was able to contribute to First Wave feminism by making sure the narrative of the movement included all women. (Michals 2015).\r\n\r\nIn Truth\u2019s Speech, \u201cAin\u2019t I A Woman?\u201d (1851) in Akron, Ohio, she speaks of her personal existence as a woman as well as her opinions on first wave feminism. She not only calls attention to the disparities in feminism in relation to her own existence as a black woman, but also disputes the critics and non-believers in the feminist movement by addressing the intersectionality between gender, religion, and race (Michals\u00a0 2015). Truth\u2019s speech is notable not only for her unique perspective as a former slave, mother of thirteen, and active feminist, but also for her unapologetic rawness with her words. Truth also used her identity as a Christian to argue with a man in the audience during her speech who commented that Christ wasn\u2019t a woman, so men and women could not possibly be equal. In response, Truth tactfully answered \u201cWhere did your Christ come from? From God and a woman!\u201d (Taylor 2023, p. 18). This intersectionality between gender and religion allowed for a compelling argument and the passion behind each word spoken was from not only pain, anger, and knowledge, but a charismatic calmness as Truth called the audience \u201cchildren\u201d and \u201choney\u201d (Taylor 2023, p. 18).\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most moving part of Truth\u2019s speech is her ability to pull from her experiences of quite literally having to fight for her freedom, her survival, and the freedom of her children. She states, \u201cI have ploughed and planted\u2026no man could head me\u2026I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother\u2019s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain\u2019t I a woman?\u201d (Taylor 2023, p. 18). This speech is remarkable for its ability to invoke ideas about women and their contributions to society.\r\n\r\nSojourner\u2019s words inspired many and the way in which she spoke was held in high regard. Frederick Douglas and Wendell Phillips \u201cheld her in great esteem,\u201d while Harriet Beecher Stowe described her as a prophetess and Erlene Stetson, a literary critic and professor, cited Sojourner Truth as a poetess (Patten\u00a0 1986). The female perspective, one which Truth has provided, demonstrates that women have worked to earn equal rights, even though they should have never had to.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nSojourner Truth (Credit: Library of Congress)\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAnalyzing the distinctly different perspectives of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth through their contributions to first wave feminism, highlights how polarized and exclusionary early feminist movements were.\r\n\r\nStanton\u2019s speech emphasized abstract ideals, using formal, legalistic language aimed at aligning women\u2019s rights with democratic principles like suffrage and property rights. Truth's speech was raw, unscripted, and rooted in personal experience. Through her use of plain, direct language she was able to better communicate the immediate struggles of Black women, such as hard labor and family separation, to her intended audience.\r\n\r\nStanton\u2019s approach was strategic, appealing primarily to a middle-class, white audience that valued systemic reform through law and policy. Stanton framed women\u2019s rights as an extension of American values but overlooked the intersecting issues of race and class, focusing instead on political rights for women in her social sphere. In contrast, Truth confronted idealized notions of womanhood by asserting the strength and resilience of Black women, who were largely excluded from the protections Stanton\u2019s vision assumed. Where Stanton sought to reform existing structures, Truth demanded a recognition of diverse experiences, challenging the movement to embrace a broader, intersectional understanding of womanhood.\r\n\r\nIn essence, Stanton\u2019s rhetoric was aspirational, seeking legal equality for women within established societal ideals, while Truth\u2019s was confrontational, pushing the movement to include marginalized voices and redefine what it meant to fight for \u201call\u201d women. Truth challenged the fragile and idealized notions of womanhood that Stanton\u2019s speech left unquestioned. Her speech was able to reveal the limitations of Stanton\u2019s vision by highlighting that the experience of being a woman varied drastically based on race and social class. Truth brought the issue of intersectionality to the forefront, paving the way for second wave feminist movements.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nReferences:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAlexander, K.L., \u201cFeminism: The First Wave.\u201d National Women\u2019s History Museum. April 5, 2021. https:\/\/www.womenshistory.org\/exhibits\/feminism-first-wave-0.\r\n\r\n\u201cDeclaration of Sentiments and Resolutions\u201d (1848). (2001). In Available Means (pp. 139-). University of Pittsburgh Press. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/j.ctt5hjqnj.27\r\n\r\n\u201cElizabeth Cady Stanton.\u201d Education at Library of Virginia , Library of Virginia , edu.lva.virginia.gov\/oc\/stc\/people\/elizabeth-cady-stanton-(1815-1902). Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.\r\n\r\n\u201cElizabeth Cady Stanton.\u201d Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica, Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica, inc., 22 Oct. 2024, www.britannica.com\/biography\/Elizabeth-Cady-Stanton.\r\n\r\nMichals, Debra.\u00a0 \"Sojourner Truth.\"\u00a0 National Women's History Museum. 2015.\u00a0 www.womenshistory.org\/education-resources\/biographies\/sojourner-truth.\r\n\r\nPatten, Neil A. \u201cThe Nineteenth Century Black Woman As Social Reformer: The \u2018New\u2019 Speeches of Sojourner Truth.\u201d Negro History Bulletin 49, no. 1 (1986): 2\u20135. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/44176646.\r\n\r\nStanton, Elizabeth. \"Seneca Fall Keynote Address.\" July 19, 1848. https:\/\/susanbanthonyhouse.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Elizabeth-Cady-Stanton-Seneca-Falls-1848.pdf\r\n\r\nTaylor, E., Gillborn, D., & Ladson-Billings, G. (Eds.). (2023): 18. Foundations of Critical Race Theory in Education (3rd ed.). Routledge. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/b23210\r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

First Wave Feminism is defined as the time period from 1848 to 1920. Although the beginning of this initial \u201cwave\u201d of female activism began with the Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, New York, that was held in 1848, this era drew inspiration from the French Revolution and Abolitionist Movement. It was at this first meeting that a group of over 300 women and male supporters signed the \u201cDeclaration of Sentiments\u201d proclaiming that all men and women were equal, women had a right to education and property, and suffrage (Alexander 2021). The purpose of first wave feminism then became primarily about securing a woman\u2019s right to vote which, they believed, was the key to receiving more rights (Alexander\u00a0 2021).<\/p>\n

One of the trailblazers of this movement was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was essential to the fight for women\u2019s rights, known for her intellect, writing, and unwavering commitment to social reform. Born in 1815 in Johnstown, New York, Stanton grew up in a family with considerable legal influence, her father was a prominent judge, and she was well-educated for a woman of her time. This background provided her with unique insights into the law, which shaped her perspective on women\u2019s rights. Stanton was particularly influenced by her father’s dismissive attitudes toward women\u2019s legal standing, inspiring her to advocate for change.<\/p>\n

In her keynote speech at the Seneca Falls Convention, Stanton firmly positioned the pursuit of women\u2019s rights as part of America\u2019s democratic ideals. As the primary author of the “Declaration of Sentiments,” Stanton crafted a powerful message that resonated widely and shaped the movement. The document listed 16 grievances and 11 resolutions concerning women\u2019s civil, social, political, and religious rights, calling for equality and demanding radical changes. One of Stanton\u2019s key arguments was that women\u2019s subjugation violated the founding principles of American democracy, saying in her speech, \u201cThe right is ours. The question now is: how shall we get possession of what rightfully belongs to us?\u201d (Stanton 1848). By framing the movement in the language of freedom and equality, Stanton made it clear that gender equality was not a fringe or isolated cause but a fundamental aspect of justice and liberty.<\/p>\n

Stanton\u2019s demand for women\u2019s suffrage became the central goal of the first wave of feminism, defining the movement\u2019s focus for decades. At a time when few imagined women could or should vote, Stanton\u2019s bold call for suffrage set her apart and became a rallying point for the movement. This focus on the vote as a means of social and political influence provided the early women\u2019s movement with a clear, unifying goal. It inspired a generation of activists, including Susan B. Anthony, who became one of Stanton\u2019s closest allies. Together, Stanton and Anthony traveled widely to give speeches, lobby policymakers, and organize conventions, expanding the reach and influence of the movement.<\/p>\n

The Seneca Falls Convention and Stanton\u2019s keynote speech defined the first wave of feminism by emphasizing both the breadth of women\u2019s grievances and the need for systemic change. Stanton didn\u2019t limit her vision to one or two rights but called for a fundamental restructuring of society to address inequities in education, employment, marriage, and public life. In her speech she summarizes these goals by saying, \u201cBut we are assembled to protest against a form of government existing without the consent of the governed – to declare our right to be free as man is free, to be represented in the government which we are taxed to support, to have such is graceful laws as give man the power to chastise and imprison his wife, to take the wages which she earns, the property which she inherits, and, in case of separation, the children of her love; laws which make her the mere dependent on his bounty\u201d (Stanton 1848). Her speech established the tone of urgency and determination that came to characterize the women\u2019s rights movement for decades. It also set a precedent for future feminist waves by linking women\u2019s rights to broader democratic values, a strategy that lent the movement moral authority and broad appeal.<\/p>\n

Stanton\u2019s keynote speech thus represented a starting point that gave coherence and focus to the first wave of feminism. Her declaration and its call for suffrage framed the movement as both revolutionary and essential to the American democratic promise. This laid a lasting foundation for the fight for women\u2019s equality, setting into motion a struggle that would ultimately achieve the right to vote in 1920 with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, a crowning achievement for the movement Stanton helped to ignite. Her contributions left an enduring impact on feminist philosophy, stressing that justice for women is inseparable from the ideals of freedom and equality, ideals she believed were vital to realizing America\u2019s full democratic potential.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (Credit: Brittanica)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although Stanton was incredibly influential in defining the parameters of this movement, not all women’s perspectives or immediate needs were captured by her limited view as an affluent white woman. Women of other races and classes, specifically Black women, were not only approaching the issue from a different set of experiences, but also were not invited or welcome to participate in white feminist conventions and meetings. Thus, there was a need for trailblazers such as Isabella Bomfree, later named Sojourner Truth, to communicate those perspectives and ensure their voices were not forgotten. As a former slave who spoke nationally about feminism, abolition, and securing suffrage for all races, Sojourner Truth was able to contribute to First Wave feminism by making sure the narrative of the movement included all women. (Michals 2015).<\/p>\n

In Truth\u2019s Speech, \u201cAin\u2019t I A Woman?\u201d (1851) in Akron, Ohio, she speaks of her personal existence as a woman as well as her opinions on first wave feminism. She not only calls attention to the disparities in feminism in relation to her own existence as a black woman, but also disputes the critics and non-believers in the feminist movement by addressing the intersectionality between gender, religion, and race (Michals\u00a0 2015). Truth\u2019s speech is notable not only for her unique perspective as a former slave, mother of thirteen, and active feminist, but also for her unapologetic rawness with her words. Truth also used her identity as a Christian to argue with a man in the audience during her speech who commented that Christ wasn\u2019t a woman, so men and women could not possibly be equal. In response, Truth tactfully answered \u201cWhere did your Christ come from? From God and a woman!\u201d (Taylor 2023, p. 18). This intersectionality between gender and religion allowed for a compelling argument and the passion behind each word spoken was from not only pain, anger, and knowledge, but a charismatic calmness as Truth called the audience \u201cchildren\u201d and \u201choney\u201d (Taylor 2023, p. 18).<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most moving part of Truth\u2019s speech is her ability to pull from her experiences of quite literally having to fight for her freedom, her survival, and the freedom of her children. She states, \u201cI have ploughed and planted\u2026no man could head me\u2026I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother\u2019s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain\u2019t I a woman?\u201d (Taylor 2023, p. 18). This speech is remarkable for its ability to invoke ideas about women and their contributions to society.<\/p>\n

Sojourner\u2019s words inspired many and the way in which she spoke was held in high regard. Frederick Douglas and Wendell Phillips \u201cheld her in great esteem,\u201d while Harriet Beecher Stowe described her as a prophetess and Erlene Stetson, a literary critic and professor, cited Sojourner Truth as a poetess (Patten\u00a0 1986). The female perspective, one which Truth has provided, demonstrates that women have worked to earn equal rights, even though they should have never had to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sojourner Truth (Credit: Library of Congress)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Analyzing the distinctly different perspectives of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth through their contributions to first wave feminism, highlights how polarized and exclusionary early feminist movements were.<\/p>\n

Stanton\u2019s speech emphasized abstract ideals, using formal, legalistic language aimed at aligning women\u2019s rights with democratic principles like suffrage and property rights. Truth’s speech was raw, unscripted, and rooted in personal experience. Through her use of plain, direct language she was able to better communicate the immediate struggles of Black women, such as hard labor and family separation, to her intended audience.<\/p>\n

Stanton\u2019s approach was strategic, appealing primarily to a middle-class, white audience that valued systemic reform through law and policy. Stanton framed women\u2019s rights as an extension of American values but overlooked the intersecting issues of race and class, focusing instead on political rights for women in her social sphere. In contrast, Truth confronted idealized notions of womanhood by asserting the strength and resilience of Black women, who were largely excluded from the protections Stanton\u2019s vision assumed. Where Stanton sought to reform existing structures, Truth demanded a recognition of diverse experiences, challenging the movement to embrace a broader, intersectional understanding of womanhood.<\/p>\n

In essence, Stanton\u2019s rhetoric was aspirational, seeking legal equality for women within established societal ideals, while Truth\u2019s was confrontational, pushing the movement to include marginalized voices and redefine what it meant to fight for \u201call\u201d women. Truth challenged the fragile and idealized notions of womanhood that Stanton\u2019s speech left unquestioned. Her speech was able to reveal the limitations of Stanton\u2019s vision by highlighting that the experience of being a woman varied drastically based on race and social class. Truth brought the issue of intersectionality to the forefront, paving the way for second wave feminist movements.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alexander, K.L., \u201cFeminism: The First Wave.\u201d National Women\u2019s History Museum. April 5, 2021. https:\/\/www.womenshistory.org\/exhibits\/feminism-first-wave-0.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeclaration of Sentiments and Resolutions\u201d (1848). (2001). In Available Means (pp. 139-). University of Pittsburgh Press. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/j.ctt5hjqnj.27<\/p>\n

\u201cElizabeth Cady Stanton.\u201d Education at Library of Virginia , Library of Virginia , edu.lva.virginia.gov\/oc\/stc\/people\/elizabeth-cady-stanton-(1815-1902). Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cElizabeth Cady Stanton.\u201d Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica, Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica, inc., 22 Oct. 2024, www.britannica.com\/biography\/Elizabeth-Cady-Stanton.<\/p>\n

Michals, Debra.\u00a0 “Sojourner Truth.”\u00a0 National Women’s History Museum. 2015.\u00a0 www.womenshistory.org\/education-resources\/biographies\/sojourner-truth.<\/p>\n

Patten, Neil A. \u201cThe Nineteenth Century Black Woman As Social Reformer: The \u2018New\u2019 Speeches of Sojourner Truth.\u201d Negro History Bulletin 49, no. 1 (1986): 2\u20135. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/44176646.<\/p>\n

Stanton, Elizabeth. “Seneca Fall Keynote Address.” July 19, 1848. https:\/\/susanbanthonyhouse.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Elizabeth-Cady-Stanton-Seneca-Falls-1848.pdf<\/p>\n

Taylor, E., Gillborn, D., & Ladson-Billings, G. (Eds.). (2023): 18. Foundations of Critical Race Theory in Education (3rd ed.). Routledge. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/b23210<\/p>\n

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