Eliza Seaman Leggett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eliza Seaman Leggett
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| Born | May 9, 1815 New York, New York
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| Died | February 8, 1900 (aged 84) Drayton Plains, Michigan
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| Nationality | American |
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Augustus W. Leggett
(m. 1836–1855) |
Eliza Seaman Leggett (born May 9, 1815 – died February 8, 1900) was an American activist. She worked hard to gain voting rights for women. She also fought to end slavery.
About Eliza Seaman Leggett
Eliza Seaman Leggett was born in New York City on May 9, 1815. She was the youngest of ten children. Her father passed away when she was very young.
In 1836, she married Augustus Wright Leggett. They lived in a few different places. First, they lived in Peekskill, New York. Then they moved to Hempstead, New York. In 1852, they moved to Michigan. They lived in Pontiac and Clintonville before settling in Detroit.
Fighting for Change
Eliza Leggett's home in Detroit was a special place. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. Many important people who wanted to improve society visited her home. These included Amos Bronson Alcott, Julia Ward Howe, and Sojourner Truth.
Eliza was also very active in the women's suffrage movement. This movement worked to get women the right to vote. She believed everyone should have equal rights.
She helped make many improvements in Detroit:
- She pushed for public water fountains. Because of her efforts, the city eventually installed them.
- She was a big reason why stores in Detroit started having public restrooms.
- She strongly supported creating Belle Isle Park. This beautiful park is still a popular spot today.
- She helped start the Detroit Woman's Club. This club worked to improve the lives of women and the community.
Eliza Leggett knew and wrote letters to many famous writers and thinkers. Some of these included Walt Whitman, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. She also worked with other important activists.
Eliza Leggett passed away on February 8, 1900, in Drayton Plains, Michigan.
Legacy
In 2003, Eliza Seaman Leggett was honored. She was added to the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. A school in Waterford, Michigan, was also named after her. Even though the school has since closed, the building is now used as a senior center.
See also
In Spanish: Eliza Seaman Leggett para niños
