Through female eyes: abolitionism and private life in Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Abstract

This dissertation examines the political activism and private life of two nineteenth century feminist women: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. On the one hand, the focus of the dissertation is interpreting what was their role as abolitionists in the Anti-Slavery Movement of the United States and on the other hand, what were their private thoughts about topics such as marriage, religion or housekeeping. The information has been obtained by analysing several letters written by the two women, their own books and also documents by their relatives or near friends. It is known that thanks to their courage and strenght, women can vote and have many rights that were trangressed for them in the past. But, why did they decide to get involved in abolishing slavery and which factors influenced their personal lives helping to develop their mindsets?

Este trabajo revisa el activismo político y la vida privada de dos mujeres feministas del siglo diecinueve: Elizabeth Cady Stanton y Susan B. Anthony. El objetivo del trabajo es interpretar cuál fue su papel como abolicionistas en el Movimiento Anti-Esclavista de los Estados Unidos y cuáles eran sus pensamientos privados sobre temas como el matrimonio, la religión o las labores domésticas. La información ha sido obtenida analizando varias cartas escritas por las dos mujeres, sus propios libros y también documentos escritos por sus familiares o amigos cercanos. Es sabido que gracias a su valor y dedicación, las mujeres pueden votar y acceder a derechos que eran transgredidos en el pasado para ellas. ¿Por qué decidieron involucrarse en la abolición de la esclavitud y qué factores influenciaron sus vidas ayudando a desarrollar su modo de pensar?