Henry Blackwell

Women’s Suffrage was the struggle to bring about more rights to women, specifically the right to vote and the right to run for public office during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Many notable women did their part such as Susan B. Anthony and the Beecher Sisters. However, many men took part as well, including Henry Blackwell.     

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Henry Blackwell is believed to be one of the most important figures involved in women suffrage. Blackwell, who was born in 1825 and died in 1909, was originally from England. He later moved with his family to Long Island, New York. Blackwell, from a young age was accustomed to seeing efforts aimed at freedom for all, being that his father was an antislavery reformer.

Blackwell later moved to Dorchester, Mass., where he remained a resident most of his adult life. He gave his first women’s rights movement speech at the Fourth National Women’s Convention in Cleveland. Two years later he married Massachusetts resident, abolitionist, and women’s right reformer Lucy Stone. The two helped to found the American Equal Rights Organization. They also founded, The New England Woman Suffrage Association, The American Woman Suffrage Association, The Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association, and their newspaper, the Woman’s Journal. He became one of the most active campaign leaders in the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which he also founded.

Blackwell led efforts in Vermont, Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Washington State. He remained active in women suffrage up until he passed away.  

Being a woman, I am extremely grateful for the tireless efforts the many people such as Blackwell and wife took, so I could enjoy the freedom today.

Work Cited:

 The Encyclopedia of New England, Edited by Burt Feintuch and David H. Watters, 2005