Pennsylvania Woman's Convention at West Chester in 1852 facts for kids
The Pennsylvania Woman's Convention at West Chester in 1852 was an important meeting. It took place in West Chester, Pennsylvania on June 2 and 3, 1852. Many people who fought for women's rights came from all over the United States.
At this convention, they talked about many issues important to women. These included women's right to vote, getting paid the same as men, and having the same chances for education. They also discussed legal problems women faced. This was the very first women's rights convention ever held in Pennsylvania.
Contents
History of the Convention
The idea for this convention was announced in a newspaper called the Lancaster Examiner on May 12, 1852. It invited "friends of justice and equal rights" to come together. They wanted to talk about women's place in society. They also discussed women's natural rights and duties.
Important women like Lucretia Mott and Sallie P. Lewis signed the original invitation. The meeting was planned for Horticultural Hall in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It was set for June 2 and 3, 1852. Jacob Painter, a Quaker from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, suggested the location. Hannah Darlington organized the event. She was an experienced organizer and also worked to end slavery, known as an abolitionist.
First Day: June 2, 1852
This was the first women's rights convention in Pennsylvania, and many people attended. On Wednesday, June 2, the meeting started at 10 AM. Lucretia Mott called the convention to order. She spoke about efforts to get women the right to vote. These efforts had been happening since the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention.
Later, the convention chose its leaders. Mary Ann W. Johnson became the president. By the end of the morning, they agreed on an important point. They said women have a natural right to be part of political decisions. They also said it was unfair to make women pay taxes if they couldn't vote. Women should have a say in how much tax they pay and how it is used.
In the afternoon session on June 2, they agreed on more things. They decided women should be treated equally under the law. They also believed that women being involved in politics would not make them less refined or sensitive. The group also discussed and agreed that women should have equal chances in medical education.
Second Day: June 3, 1852
The next day, the convention met again at 9 AM. Ann Preston gave a speech about how women were treated unfairly. She pointed out that women were not legal guardians of their own children. She also noted that women were often denied equal job opportunities.
During the morning, the convention decided that women should have "equal station among their brethren." This meant they should be seen as equal to men. They also agreed it was good to speak up for improving women's status in society. And they believed women should be free to study whatever they wished.
In the afternoon, they passed more resolutions. They said it was wrong to pay taxes for universities that women could not attend. They also insisted that wives should have equal control over their property. Women should have rights as legal guardians of their children. And there should be equal pay for women. All of these ideas were similar to those discussed at the Seneca Falls Convention.
Notable Attendees
Many important people attended this convention, including:
- Frances Dana Barker Gage
- Harriot Kezia Hunt
- James Mott
- Lucretia Mott
- Ann Preston
- Evan Pugh
- Ernestine Rose
