On February 15, 1820, Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams, Massachusetts. Susan had 7 siblings, most of whom became activists for the emancipation of slaves and equality. Her father owned a farm and cotton mill, and her mother’s family fought in the American Revolution.

Even as a little girl, Susan had always had a strong compassion for others. She knew that regardless of race or gender, everyone deserves to be treated equally. Her father taught her the Quaker belief, that everyone was created equal under god. This belief inspired and encouraged Susan throughout her entire life.

From a young age, Susan knew that she wanted to make a difference. She had always loved helping people in any way possible. This is part of the reason she later became a teacher!

Because of the limitations of women’s rights during the 1800s, Susan and her sisters were not allowed to attend their local school, only her brothers were. Her father believed that all of his kids had a right to education, so he made his own school at home. Susan received education from her father until she was around 17 years old.

In 1838, Susan and her family faced a huge hardship. Her father lost all of his wealth and they were forced to move to Rochester, New York. Because they had no money, Susan’s father pulled her and her sister out of school.

When they moved to New York, the Anthony family began hosting and attending abolitionist meetings. These gatherings allowed Susan to meet one of her most influential figures, Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who soon became an extremely prominent activist and abolitionist.

Although her education was cut short, Susan was considered well-educated for a woman. She soon took a teaching position at Canajoharie Academy in New York.

Susan met Elizabeth Cady Stanton, in 1851, at the Anti-Slavery Convention. Elizabeth was a leader in the women’s rights movement. She was a huge activist for women’s suffrage. The two of them became great friends, and would later work together to fight for women’s rights.  Elizabeth had a huge influence on Susan’s passion for women’s rights.

In 1852, Susan went to her first women’s rights convention. From then on, she dedicated her life to being an activist for women’s rights as well as for the abolition of slavery.

Susan would speak out against slavery at any given opportunity, because she knew that they didn’t come often.

Susan was forbidden from speaking at a temperance meeting because she was a woman. Because of this, in 1852, she created the Women’s New York State Temperance Society. This was the first of many enterprises of her own to come.

Although her aspirations of women’s rights were growing, Susan continued her work as an abolitionist. She took on the official role of an agent in the American Anti-Slavery Society. With this role, Susan did public speaking about the abolition of slavery.

Susan officially began campaigning for women’s rights in 1854. She began petitioning, but was not allowed to speak at most public places. Although it was hard, Susan didn’t let these setbacks discourage her.

Susan then attended the New York State Teachers’ convention in 1857. Here, she demanded that education be available to not only women, but African Americans also. Being a teacher herself, Susan viewed education as the route to freedom.

On May 14, 1863, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony formed the Women’s National Loyal League. Elizabeth was its president, and Susan was its secretary. They formed this league to campaign an amendment that would abolish slavery.

In 1864, Elizabeth and Susan published the “Appeal to Women of the Republic”. This was a letter encouraging all women to sign the league’s petition. This letter greatly assisted in the 400,000 signatures that the petition received. After it became clear that the 13th amendment was going to be passed, the league ended.