Lucretia Mott

                                   Lucretia Mott

                                       By: Mikala Riney & Lydia Mills

Among the most significant women in history and women’s advocate, Lucretia Mott was born on January 3, 1793, in Nantucket, Massachusetts. In 1821, Mott became a Quaker minister and skilled speaker who witnessed to her faith by greatly opposed to slavery while encouraging others to not buy products from slave labor. In addition, Mott was a well-known supporter of William Lloyd Garrison and his American Anti-Slavery Society. Mott assisted in the creation of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society in 1833 and in 1840, she attended the World's Anti-Slavery Convention with her husband, but   she and other women were given little participation rights because of their sex. Outside the conference hall, Mott preached of female equality which led membership in the women's rights movement.

In 1848, Lucretia Mott met another women’s right leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton who helped her organize the Seneca Falls Convention in New York. The Convention was a gathering of female reformers who expressed their vision for women’s rights in a document called the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, better known as the Seneca Falls Declaration. It read, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal..."(Textbook) This declaration of women’s independence triggered dialogue and controversy regarding women’s suffrage and equal rights.

This Convention was only the beginning of Mott’s efforts to gain women's rights, but her passion would continue to nurture this cause, although little improvements were made. In 1850, Mott published her Discourse on Woman, which was very influential for the movement because she argued for equal voting rights and economic opportunities. She became one of the leading voices and is recognized in history as one of the founders of the women's rights movement.  Valuing education, Mott helped establish the Swarthmore College in 1864 focusing on equal education for all.  Later, Mott served as head of the American Equal Rights Association.

Mott was a very powerful speaker who influenced many of her listeners. She preached strongly on the rights of women and how they should be treated as equal to men instead of a second class citizen. Unfortunately, Lucretia Mott died on November 11, 1880 in Chelton Hills, never achieving equality or suffrage for women. Her legacy would inspire other women to continue seeking justice and equality for women.

Citations:
http://www.biography.com/people/lucretia-mott-9416590#civil-rights-activist
http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/lucretia-mott