On July 19, 1884 approximatly 300 people gathered in Seneca Falls New York led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton to
hold the very first "formal" national womens rights convention. There had been previous attempts at such conventions but they
were unsuccessfull. There were not taken seriously. The Seneca Falls Convention opened up the door for future womens
right activists as well as earned a place in history.
The Declaration of Sentiments was presented and spoke of civil rights ,privledges and discrimination. This was a formal demand for women to have the
same opportunites offered to all other United States Citizens. The womens rights movement took a back seat to the civil war
and was relativly quiet during and right after the war. The National Womens Suffrage Association was formed by Susan B. Anothony
and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who came to be very powerful and well known in the women suffrage movement. They joined forces
with another group called American Womens Sufferage Association led by Lucy Stone in 1890 and became The National American
Women Sufferage Association. Unlike Anthony and Stanton, Stone supported the 15th ammendment. Stanton and Anthony served as
president of the new organization, Stanton in 1890 to 1892 and Anthony from 1892 to 1900. Neither women lived long enough
to see their dream come true. They also never had the opportunity to do what they fought so hard for, which was vote. The
twentieth century brought new faces and challenges. A bill for womens suffrage was denied in 1915 ,1918 and 1919. During that
time the National Womens Party was created. They did have some hope in September 1918 when the bill made it to Senate , however
they lost by a mere 2 votes. In Febuary 1919 they tried again and only lost by 1 vote! They had gained the support of
president Wilson who tried to use his position to help their cause. Election time was approaching soon so time was precious
and scarce. Finally in June of 1919 the bill was passed. The states began the ratificatrion process and in November 1920 the
women celebrated their victory and first election
