The Long Road to Equality for women
Excerpt from Susan B. Anthony's Address to Congress in 1868
After more than 100 years of struggle, women in the United States finally won the night to vote in 1920. Sulfragist Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) dedicated her life to the cause of winning the vote for women. In 1866, Anthony read an appeal to the Congress of the United States for the enfranchisement of women.
“To the Senate and House of Representatives:
1. "Woman has always had the right to property and wages, the right to make contracts and do business in her own name. And even married women, by recent legislation, have been secured in these civil rights. Woman now holds a vast amount of the property in the country, and pays her full proportion of taxes. On what principle, then, do you deny her representation?
2. “We propose no new theories. We simply ask that you secure to ALL the practical application of the immutable principles of our government, without distinction of rack, color or sex, And we urge our demand now, because you have the opportunity and the power to take this onward step in legislation. The nations of the earth stand watching and waiting to see if our Revolutionary idea, "all men are created equal," con be realized in government: Crush not, we pray you, the million hopes that hang on our success. Men and parties must pass away, but justice is eternal.
3. "The only tenable ground of representation is UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, as it is only through Universal Suffrage that the principle of "Equal Rights to All" can be resized. All prohibitions based on race, color, sex, property, or education, are violations of the republican idea. You assume to be the representatives of 15,000,000 women - American citizens- who already possess every attainable qualification for the ballot. Women read and write, hold many offices under government, pay taxes, and the penalties of crime, and yet are allowed to exercise but the one right of petition.
4. "With man, woman shared the dangers of the Mayflower on a stormy sea, the dreary landing on Plymouth Rock, the rigors of a New England winter, and the privations of a seven years' wait. With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspires the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century. With you we have just passed through the agony and death, the resurrection and triumph of another revolution, doing all in our power to mitigate is horrors and guard its glories. And now thank you we have no souls to fire, no brains to weigh your arguments, that after education such as this, we can stand silent witnesses while you sell our birthright of liberty to save from a timely death an effete political organization? No, as we respect womanhood, we must protest against this desecration of the magna Carta of American Liberties; and with an impartiality not to be…
According to details in both the speech and the blog, which right was not granted for more than a century?
- A. women's right to receive a formal education
- B. women's right to practice law nationwide
- C. women's right to equal protection under the law
- D. women's right to own property in their own name
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The right to equal protection under the law was not granted to women for over a century, as it was only recognized with the passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868 and further solidified through various court rulings. Option A is incorrect because women began receiving formal education in the 19th century, although access was limited. Option B is also wrong; women could practice law in some states earlier than the 20th century, although it varied widely. Option D is misleading, as some women could own property in their own name through state laws, though restrictions existed. Thus, equal protection remained the most significant right denied for the longest duration.
The right to equal protection under the law was not granted to women for over a century, as it was only recognized with the passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868 and further solidified through various court rulings. Option A is incorrect because women began receiving formal education in the 19th century, although access was limited. Option B is also wrong; women could practice law in some states earlier than the 20th century, although it varied widely. Option D is misleading, as some women could own property in their own name through state laws, though restrictions existed. Thus, equal protection remained the most significant right denied for the longest duration.
Other Related Questions
How does the use of the phrase 'put on a thin veneer' in paragraph 3 shape the author's argument in the article?
- A. The phrase implies that other companies are misunderstood, while the Gregory brothers are given too much praise.
- B. The phrase indicates that other companies ignore community concerns, while the Gregory brothers do not.
- C. The phrase suggests that other companies pretend to be conscientious, while the Gregory brothers are sincere.
- D. The phrase helps explain how other companies fight their legal battles, while the Gregory brothers do not.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The phrase "put on a thin veneer" suggests superficiality, indicating that other companies may feign concern for community issues without genuine commitment. This contrasts with the Gregory brothers, who are portrayed as sincere in their efforts. Option A misinterprets the phrase, as it does not suggest misunderstanding or excessive praise. Option B inaccurately implies that the focus is solely on community concerns, neglecting the theme of authenticity. Option D incorrectly connects the phrase to legal battles, diverting from the core idea of sincerity versus pretense.
The phrase "put on a thin veneer" suggests superficiality, indicating that other companies may feign concern for community issues without genuine commitment. This contrasts with the Gregory brothers, who are portrayed as sincere in their efforts. Option A misinterprets the phrase, as it does not suggest misunderstanding or excessive praise. Option B inaccurately implies that the focus is solely on community concerns, neglecting the theme of authenticity. Option D incorrectly connects the phrase to legal battles, diverting from the core idea of sincerity versus pretense.
Which claim made by the author is unsupported in the article?
- A. People want landfills located as far from their homes and businesses as possible.
- B. The Gregory brothers' company is different from other trash disposal companies.
- C. The Gregory brothers reach out to the community in numerous ways.
- D. Some trash disposal companies act in their own self-interests.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A lacks direct evidence in the article, making it unsupported. While the desire for landfills to be distant from homes is a common sentiment, the article does not provide specific claims or data to back this assertion. Option B is supported by the article, which highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach mentioned in the text, illustrating the brothers' engagement efforts. Option D is substantiated through discussions of industry practices, indicating that some companies prioritize self-interests over community needs.
Option A lacks direct evidence in the article, making it unsupported. While the desire for landfills to be distant from homes is a common sentiment, the article does not provide specific claims or data to back this assertion. Option B is supported by the article, which highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach mentioned in the text, illustrating the brothers' engagement efforts. Option D is substantiated through discussions of industry practices, indicating that some companies prioritize self-interests over community needs.
Which statement accurately compares the tones of the first paragraph of 'Community Garden Newsletter' and of 'Letter to the Editor: Local Foods'?
- A. One is relieved, while the other is angry.
- B. One is excited, while the other is indignant.
- C. One is insistent, while the other is remorseful.
- D. One is urgent, while the other is pleading.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In 'Community Garden Newsletter,' the tone is excited, reflecting enthusiasm for community engagement and the benefits of local gardening. This positivity contrasts sharply with the tone of 'Letter to the Editor: Local Foods,' which conveys indignation about the lack of support for local food initiatives. Option A is incorrect as neither tone strongly conveys relief or anger. Option C misinterprets the tones; neither paragraph expresses insistence or remorse. Option D is also inaccurate; while one tone may seem urgent, the other does not convey a pleading sentiment but rather a passionate call to action.
In 'Community Garden Newsletter,' the tone is excited, reflecting enthusiasm for community engagement and the benefits of local gardening. This positivity contrasts sharply with the tone of 'Letter to the Editor: Local Foods,' which conveys indignation about the lack of support for local food initiatives. Option A is incorrect as neither tone strongly conveys relief or anger. Option C misinterprets the tones; neither paragraph expresses insistence or remorse. Option D is also inaccurate; while one tone may seem urgent, the other does not convey a pleading sentiment but rather a passionate call to action.
Which claim made by the author is unsupported in the article?
- A. People want landfills located as far from their homes and businesses as possible.
- B. The Gregory brothers' company is different from other trash disposal companies.
- C. The Gregory brothers reach out to the community in numerous ways.
- D. Some trash disposal companies act in their own self-interests.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A lacks support in the article; while it discusses community preferences regarding landfill locations, it does not provide evidence or data to substantiate that people universally desire landfills to be distant from their homes and businesses. Option B is supported as the article highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach initiatives undertaken by the Gregory brothers, demonstrating their engagement efforts. Option D is valid, as the article mentions self-interested behaviors of some trash disposal companies, illustrating a contrast with the Gregory brothers’ approach.
Option A lacks support in the article; while it discusses community preferences regarding landfill locations, it does not provide evidence or data to substantiate that people universally desire landfills to be distant from their homes and businesses. Option B is supported as the article highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach initiatives undertaken by the Gregory brothers, demonstrating their engagement efforts. Option D is valid, as the article mentions self-interested behaviors of some trash disposal companies, illustrating a contrast with the Gregory brothers’ approach.