Among the significant social changes that occurred in the 19th century
was the movement for woman suffrage that began about the middle of the
century as a concerted action by a nucleus of determined women. The
crusade gained strength and numbers during the second half of the
century, and finally achieved success with the ratification of the
Suffrage Amendment in 1920. Many women worked in this cause, and the
pieces of presentation silver in the National Museum's Woman Suffrage
Collection constitute a record of the most important leaders.
Chief spokesman of the movement and its leader for many years was
Elizabeth Cady Stanton of New York State. She was instrumental in
calling the first Woman's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York,
in 1848, and she served as president of the National Woman Suffrage
Association from its beginning in 1869 and as president of the National
American Woman Suffrage Association from 1890 to 1891. She continued to
be an active worker in the movement until her death in 1902, writing and
editing many works on suffrage in addition to her administrative work.
On the occasion of her 80th birthday in 1895, Mrs. Stanton was presented
with a silver tray[33] (8 inches wide and 1-1/2 inches deep) that is
inscribed:
From the Ladies of Seneca Falls, 1848-1895.
This tray, presented at a meeting at the Metropolitan Opera House in New
York City, bears on the back a "W" in a circle, a two-headed lion in a
rectangle (probably an early mark of the Wallace Silver Company), the
word "Sterling," and the number "2048."
[Illustration: Figure 18.--CUP GIVEN TO SUSAN B. ANTHONY by the Colorado
Equal Suffrage Association. Gift of National American Woman Suffrage
Association. In Division of Political History. (Acc. 64601, cat. 26163;
Smithsonian photo 45992-J.)]
On the same occasion Mrs. Stanton was presented a silver loving cup[34]
that is inscribed:
1815-1895 Presented to Elizabeth Cady Stanton by the New York City
Woman Suffrage League, November 12, 1895. Defeated day by day but
unto victory born.
The cup, 4-1/2 inches in diameter and 7-3/8 inches deep, is marked on
the bottom with the Wallace "W," similar to the mark on the tray, and
"Sterling, 3798, 4-1/2 pints, 925/100 fine, Pat 1892."
The life story of Susan B. Anthony is a record of 60 years of devotion
and work for the enfranchisement of women. An organizer and director of
countless suffrage activities, she was tireless in conducting campaigns
for woman suffrage. She is the one individual who has become so
identified with the fight for woman suffrage that, more than any other,
her name has become synonymous with that term. During her lifetime she
worked in almost every capacity in the organized movement. She became
president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1892
and served until her 80th birthday in 1900. On that occasion the
Colorado Equal Suffrage Association presented her with a miniature,
three-handled loving cup that stands only 3-3/4 inches high (fig. 18).
In one section of the cup there is engraved the word "Colorado" and the
state's coat of arms; in an adjoining section is an engraving of the
state flower; and in the third section is the following inscription:
Colorado Equal Suffrage Association to Susan B. Anthony on her
80th Birthday 1900.
The cup is marked on the bottom "Sterling, 590, A. J. Stark & Co.,
Denver."
She was also given a silver-plated teakettle[35] by the Political
Equality Club of Rochester, New York. The stand is 3-1/2 inches high,
and the teapot is 5-1/4 inches high. Engraved around the top of the
teapot is:
Susan B. Anthony 1820-1893.