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…
In her blog, Rodriguez writes from the perspective of a student who is
- A. campaigning in a student election.
- B. commenting on a famous suffragist.
- C. advocating for women's rights.
- D. documenting an event.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Rodriguez’s blog focuses on the experiences and challenges faced by women, highlighting the importance of advocating for women's rights. This perspective aligns with option C, as it emphasizes activism and social justice. Option A, campaigning in a student election, is too narrow and does not capture the broader theme of women's rights. Option B, commenting on a famous suffragist, suggests a historical analysis rather than a personal advocacy stance. Option D, documenting an event, implies a neutral observation rather than an active promotion of women's rights. Thus, option C best reflects the intent and perspective of Rodriguez's writing.
Rodriguez’s blog focuses on the experiences and challenges faced by women, highlighting the importance of advocating for women's rights. This perspective aligns with option C, as it emphasizes activism and social justice. Option A, campaigning in a student election, is too narrow and does not capture the broader theme of women's rights. Option B, commenting on a famous suffragist, suggests a historical analysis rather than a personal advocacy stance. Option D, documenting an event, implies a neutral observation rather than an active promotion of women's rights. Thus, option C best reflects the intent and perspective of Rodriguez's writing.
Other Related Questions
Why does the author mention Lissa in paragraph 5?
- A. to show that Burl is frustrated over losing money
- B. to foreshadow Burl's anxieties about his business
- C. to portray Burl's real feelings toward the thief
- D. to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
How does paragraph 1 fit into the narrative structure of the excerpt?
- A. Paragraph 1 establishes the setting and the reason the narrator's family came to the palace.
- B. Paragraph 1 provides details about the narrator's feelings about the events of the evening.
- C. Paragraph 1 includes background about a conflict that arose from the narrator's feelings about fashion.
- D. Paragraph 1 describes the narrator's father and his performance at the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
Which sentence from the blog supports Rodriguez's claim that the Equal Protection Clause was too narrow in scope when first adopted?
- A. The Court even confirmed its prejudicial position in 1875 when it upheld state laws that extended the right to vote only to men.'
- B. Clearly, the Court was relegating as women to a second-class status.'
- C. The 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, applied only to men.'
- D. This decision remained the law until ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving us women the right to vote, 45 years later.'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the Court's 1875 decision to uphold laws that restricted voting rights to men, illustrating how the Equal Protection Clause initially failed to encompass all citizens, particularly women. This directly supports Rodriguez's argument about the clause's narrow scope. Option B, while indicating the second-class status of women, does not specifically reference the Equal Protection Clause or its limitations. Option C states that the 14th Amendment applied only to men, but it lacks context about the Court's decisions and their implications. Option D discusses the timeline of women's voting rights but does not address the initial constraints of the Equal Protection Clause.
Option A highlights the Court's 1875 decision to uphold laws that restricted voting rights to men, illustrating how the Equal Protection Clause initially failed to encompass all citizens, particularly women. This directly supports Rodriguez's argument about the clause's narrow scope. Option B, while indicating the second-class status of women, does not specifically reference the Equal Protection Clause or its limitations. Option C states that the 14th Amendment applied only to men, but it lacks context about the Court's decisions and their implications. Option D discusses the timeline of women's voting rights but does not address the initial constraints of the Equal Protection Clause.
The monologue in paragraphs 4 and 5 suggests that Don Quixote believes that Sancho
- A. fails to trust in the abilities of an experienced knight.
- B. relies on outside help rather than personal strength.
- C. prefers harmless realities to exciting adventures
- D. lacks the confidence to face a potential danger.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The monologue in paragraphs 4 and 5 indicates that Don Quixote perceives Sancho as someone who favors the comfort of familiar, safe experiences over the thrill of adventure. This preference highlights Sancho's inclination towards stability rather than embracing the uncertainties of knightly quests. Option A is incorrect as the text does not imply that Sancho distrusts Don Quixote's abilities. Option B misinterprets Sancho’s character; he often shows resourcefulness and courage. Option D suggests a lack of confidence in facing danger, but the text emphasizes Sancho's practical nature rather than fearfulness.
The monologue in paragraphs 4 and 5 indicates that Don Quixote perceives Sancho as someone who favors the comfort of familiar, safe experiences over the thrill of adventure. This preference highlights Sancho's inclination towards stability rather than embracing the uncertainties of knightly quests. Option A is incorrect as the text does not imply that Sancho distrusts Don Quixote's abilities. Option B misinterprets Sancho’s character; he often shows resourcefulness and courage. Option D suggests a lack of confidence in facing danger, but the text emphasizes Sancho's practical nature rather than fearfulness.