Abridged WBB

In a letter to her husband John Adams and members of the Continental Congress, Adams addresses the concerns of colonial women, saying, “I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” John Adams dismisses his wife’s plea with jocular disdain, calling Abigail “saucy” and claims “[w]e know better than to repeal our Masculine system." Abigail answers, "I can not say that I think you very generous to the Ladies, for whilst you are proclaiming peace and good will to Men, Emancipating all Nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over Wives." View image of the letter

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony found the American Equal Rights Association, working to “secure Equal Rights to all American citizens, especially the right of suffrage, irrespective of race, color, or sex.” Proceedings of the first anniversary of the American Equal Rights Association

In the presidential election of 1868, 172 women cast ballots in a separate box in Vineland, New Jersey. Their votes are not counted.

The Supreme Court of the United States rules that states have the right to exclude married women from practicing law. Learn more

After reviewing over 30,000 petitions requesting a women’s suffrage amendment, the Committee on Privileges and elections recommends that further examination of women’s suffrage be postponed indefinitely.

The American Federation of Labor is organized as an association of American labor and trade unions. In its inception, membership was limited to craft unions comprised of white male members. As the labor movement grew, gaining membership and momentum across industries, the AFL extended membership to women and African-Americans. With the influx of women laborers entering the workforce, issues previously deemed “women’s issues” became worker’s issues. Equal pay, 10-hour workdays, women’s suffrage, and better working conditions are now a part of Union’s agendas. Learn more about women and the labor movement

By the start of the twentieth century, all states have legislation modelled after the New York's Married Women's Property Act of 1848. Married women are now entitled to limited control over their property and earnings. Learn more about the New York Married Women’s Property Act of 1848

Led by the first female Congresswoman, Jeannette Rankin, the women’s suffrage amendment is introduced to Congress and debate is opened in the House of Representatives. The amendment passes in the house but fails to gain ⅔ support needed in the Senate. Since the amendment was defeated, Congressman John Raker proposes a committee be formed on the topic of women's suffrage. Some suffragists saw the committee as a means for securing voting rights state by state since the constitutional amendment was blocked. The measure was passed 180 to 107.