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84 Petition:appealto theWomen of newYork By Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lydia Mott, Ernestine L. Rose, Martha C. Wright, and Susan B. Anthony November 1860 Albany, New York This appeal, signed by many of the leading women’s rights reformers in New York State—and indeed, in the country—celebrates the accomplishments of the women’s rights movement over the prior decade, and sets forth an agenda for the immediate future. We can see Rose’s influence in this jointly signed appeal—its pride in the “agitation ” that has brought about so much change, for example, and the bold references to religion as a barrier to women’s equality. Having won a major battle in New York State with the passage of the Married Women’s Property Law, women’s rights advocates set their sights on an upcoming revision of the State Constitution, which they are determined will include suffrage for women. In the meantime, they demand of male lawmakers that they begin to make laws that “bear equally on man and woman.” They urge women to support these goals by collecting signatures to the petition and donating money. n Women of New York:—Once more we appeal to you to make renewed efforts for the elevation of our sex. In our marital laws we are now in advance of every State in the Union. Twelve years ago New York took the initiative step, and secured to married women their property, received by gift or inheritance. Our last Legislature passed a most liberal act, giving to married women their rights, to sue for damages of person of property, to their separate earnings and their children; and to the widow, the possession and control of the entire estate during the minority of the youngest child. Women of New York! You can no longer be insulted in the first days of your widowed grief by the coarse minions of the law at your fireside , coolly taking an inventory of your household goods, or robbing your children of their natural guardian. While we rejoice in this progress made in our laws, we see also a change in the employment of women. They are coming down from the garrets and up from the cellars to occupy more profitable posts in every department of industry, literature, science, and art. In the church, too, behold the spirit of freedom at work. Within the past year, the very altar has been the scene of well-fought battles; women claiming and exercising 85 their right to vote in church matters, in defiance of precedent, priest, or Paul. Another evidence of the importance of our cause is seen in the deep interest men of wealth are manifesting in it. Three great bequests have been given to us in the past year. Five thousand dollars from an unknown hand, a share in the munificent fund left by that noble man of Boston, Charles F. Hovey, and four hundred thousand dollars by Mr. Vassar, of Poughkeepsie, to found a college for girls, equal in all respects to Yale and Harvard. Is it not strange that women of wealth are constantly giving large sums of money to endow professorships and colleges for boys exclusively —to churches and to the education of the ministry, and yet give no thought to their own sex—crushed in ignorance, poverty, and prostitution —the hopeless victims of custom, law, and Gospel, with few to offer a helping hand, while the whole world combine to aid the boy and glorify the man? Our movement is already felt in the Old World. The nobility of England , with Lord Brougham at their head, have recently formed a “Society for Promoting the Employments of Women.” All this is the result of the agitation, technically called “Woman’s Rights,” through conventions, lectures, circulation of tracts and petitions, and by the faithful word uttered in the privacy of home. The few who stand forth to meet the world’s cold gaze, its ridicule, its contumely, and its scorn, are urged onward by the prayers and tears, crushed hopes and withered hearts of the sad daughters of the race. The wretched will not let them falter; and they who seem to do the work, ever and anon draw fresh courage and inspiration from the noblest women of the age, who, from behind the scene, send forth good words of cheer and heartfelt thanks. Six years hence, the men of New York purpose to revise our State Constitution. Among other changes demanded, is the right of...

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