Seneca Falls Convention of 1848

On this date in history, July 19, 1848, the first women's rights convention in the United States was held in Seneca Falls, New York. One hundred and seventy-two years ago! This two day meeting launched the women's suffrage movement that would ultimately lead to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution being ratified which gave women the right to vote. It took over seventy years.

Adopted were the Declaration of Sentiments, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, demanding women have equality with men under the law in education and employment, among other things. Many believe this convention started the women's rights movement that continues today.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton opened the convention with the following, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal."

Say her name. Know her name. Remember her name.