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SUSAN B. ANTHONY

Program
NYS Historic
Subject
Event, People
Location
Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY
Lat/Long
42.698706, -74.924919
Grant Recipient
The First Presbyterian Church
Historic Marker

SUSAN B. ANTHONY

Inscription

SUSAN B. ANTHONY
MET WITH COUNTY RESIDENTS
FEB. 9, 1855 IN BUILDING ON
THIS SITE. FORMED COMMITTEE
TO ADVOCATE FOR
WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2018

In February 1855, suffragist Susan B. Anthony visited Cooperstown to meet with Otsego County residents and help form a committee to advocate for suffrage, education and legal reforms.

The Seneca Convention in 1848 served as one of the first forums for women to speak openly regarding their desire for civil rights. Prominent movement figures, including Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, made it their mission to visit every county in New York State in order to form Woman’s Rights Committees. One such stop was in Cooperstown, NY. The February 2, 1855 issue of The Freeman’s Journal announced that, “the ‘strong-minded women’ are coming to Cooperstown, to hold a County Convention, on the 9th inst.” An issue from February 16, 1855 remarked on the convention attendees, writing that “at least two dozen women and men, assembled in convention at the Session Room.” Anthony spoke in favor of women’s suffrage, stating “Give woman but the right of suffrage, she Will soon have equal laws, and what is wrong Will speedily set right.” After their stop in Cooperstown, Anthony continued her tour of neighboring counties, spreading the sentiment that women deserve rights just like men.