Throughout history, Americans have fought for the right to freedom at home, freedoms that have been passed down through dozens of generations. Freedoms such as religion, speech, press, slavery and the right to vote. Americans, although very aware of their freedoms, often take them for granted and forget the struggles their ancestors waged to obtain them. An example of this struggle is the right of women to be treated and seen by the government as equals. It was not an easy battle to win, and it took a few strong men to begin to end the struggle that women had faced for centuries. The need for women's rights began in colonial America, where women were considered "inferior beings." ". This era, while not particularly known for its feminist movements, welcomed people such as Margaret Brent, who was a wealthy landowner in Maryland and who was a strong, but unsuccessful, voice for ensuring a place for women in the Maryland legislature. colony. This was also a time when Quakers and many other figures, such as the famous American patriot Thomas Paine, supported women's rights, but at the time this was not enough to make a significant difference and it was only 'in the 19th century that women would have a real chance to make a difference. One of the key leaders of the women's rights movement was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, born in Jamestown, New York, on November 12, 1815, to a strict Presbyterian family. She attended Johnstown Academy, where only boys were admitted, but because of her gender she could not attend colleges offering advanced degrees. So she was accepted into Emma Willard's academy in Troy, New York, where she graduated in 1832. After graduating, she studied law. with her father, Judge Daniel Cady, but was not admitted to the bar, again because of her sex. On May 10, 1840, Elizabeth Cady was married to Henry Brewster Stanton, but when they took their vows, Elizabeth did not vow to "obey" her husband. Henry and Elizabeth had seven children together. Later that year, the couple attended an anti-slavery convention, at which Elizabeth and seven other female delegates were denied the right to take an active part in the convention. Stanton and fellow American feminist Lucretia Coffin Mott were placed ...... middle of paper ...... N's efforts to make themselves and their gender equals work, Stanton , Anthony among others, continued to speak and write about what they believed was right and in 1919, the 19th Amendment was added, granting all citizens the right to vote, regardless of gender. The amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. In conclusion, the women who organized the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, on those historic July days and those who inspired them are true pioneers. They started a wave for more women and men to continue to fight for what they believe in and change things if they think they are wrong. These are the people who made America what it is today, gave them their freedoms, and all Americans should be grateful. Works Cited Banner, Lois W. “Women Suffrage.” New Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia. OCLC 2004. January 4, 2004 Gottshall, Jon. “Seneca Falls, New York: The First Women's Rights Convention, July 19-20, 1848.” December 31, 2003 “Stanton, Elizabeth Stanton.” American Encyclopedia. Grolier