Senator Farley Salutes Elizabeth Cady Stanton

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I  - Schenectady) notes November 12th is designated as Elizabeth Cady Stanton Day in New York State, as a day to honor Ms. Stanton and to recognize and celebrate her efforts and achievements in the fight for women’s rights, including the right to vote.

"This day was picked because Elizabeth's birthday is November 12th," Senator Farley explained. "November is also New York State History Month."

Ms. Stanton was born on November 12th, 1815, in Johnstown, New York. She was educated at the Johnstown Academy and at Emma Willard's Troy Female Seminary. She became interested in the abolitionist cause, and spoke frequently on the subject of women's rights. In 1848, she circulated petitions that helped convince the New York State Legislature to pass a bill granting property rights to married women. She is best known for her efforts on women's suffrage, working closely with Susan B. Anthony.

"Not only is she important in New York State and Fulton County history, Elizabeth Cady Stanton is a vital part of our Nation's history," Senator Farley said.

When visiting Johnstown, Senator Farley suggests taking the cell phone walking tour that explains the important places in Ms. Stanton's early life. For more information, visit http://www.elizabethcadystantonhometown.org/

Earlier this year, the Senate and Assembly passed the following resolution in recognition of the bicentennial of her birth:

COMMEMORATING THE 200^TH ANNIVERSARY

OF THE BIRTH OF ELIZABETH CADY STANTON

WHEREAS, November 12, 2015 marks the bicentennial of the birth of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the founders and leading voices of the women’s rights movement; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born on November 12, 1815 in Johnstown, New York to Daniel Cady and Margaret Livingston Cady; her father was a prominent attorney who also served as a state legislator, Congressman and Judge; and

WHEREAS, She was educated at the Johnstown Academy and at the Troy Female Seminary, which had been established by Emma Willard; and

WHEREAS, In 1840, she married Henry Stanton, a reformer and abolitionist; they had seven children; and

WHEREAS, Through her personal experiences, and through observation of her father’s law practice, she became aware of the inequities and injustices faced by women, leading to her lifelong efforts for women’s rights; and

WHEREAS, She circulated petitions and advocated in New York State for passage of the Married Woman’s Property Bill, which was signed into law in 1848; and

WHEREAS, Her family moved to Seneca Falls, NY in 1847; working with four other women, including Lucretia Mott, she organized the first Women’s Rights Convention, which was held in Seneca Falls in July 1848; she is credited with being one of the primary authors of the Convention’s Declaration of Sentiments, which was modeled after the Declaration of Independence and which is considered to be a founding document of the woman’s suffrage movement; and

WHEREAS, In 1851, She met Susan B. Anthony, beginning a long friendship and partnership in the fight for women’s equality; and

WHEREAS, She participated in the abolition movement and the temperance movement, but was most active in, and best known for, her efforts on behalf of a wide range of women’s rights, especially the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, Although she died on October 26, 1902, her lifelong efforts laid the groundwork for the ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, Several historical markers have been erected in her hometown of Johnstown to honor her efforts and legacy, and local residents have also established the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Women’s Consortium in 2006 and the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association in 2008; and

WHEREAS, The City of Johnstown and the County of Fulton are very proud of her accomplishments and legacy, and several local organizations are holding special events in 2015 in honor of the 200^th anniversary of her birth; and

WHEREAS, This bicentennial is also being observed and celebrated by the National Park Service, which operates the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls and provides tours of the house in which she lived from 1847 to 1862; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, she was part of the first group of women inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame; her biographical entry notes that she is “Widely credited as one of the founding geniuses of the women’s rights movement;” and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her contributions and achievements, the New York State Legislature passed a law in 2006 which designated November 12^th to be Elizabeth Cady Stanton Day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of Elizabeth Cady Stanton of Johnstown, New York, and to acknowledge and celebrate her dedication and accomplishments in the cause of women’s rights.