Remembering: 1848 Women's Rights Convention @ Seneca Falls

Frederick Douglass

Today, July 20, marks Day 2 of the 1848 Women's Rights Convention held in the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, NY. On that day, the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions were read and a vote called. All Resolutions were agreed upon with one exception.

All of the resolutions were passed unanimously except for woman suffrage... The eloquent Frederick Douglass, a former slave and now editor of the Rochester North Star, however, swayed the gathering into agreeing to the resolution. ~Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery

FrederickDouglass, the only African American at the meeting, stood and spoke eloquently in favor; he said that he could not accept the right to vote himself as a black man if woman could not also claim that right. ~Wikipedia  

Thank you, Mr. Douglass for taking your stand 15 years before the Emancipation Proclamation was formalluissued by President Lincoln in January 1, 1863.

While 300 men and women attended the Convention, 100 signed the Declaration of Sentiments. The signatures were signed in two groups according to gender:

68 women signed below this statement:
Firmly relying upon the final triumph of the Right and the True, we do this day affix our signatures to this declaration.

32 men signed below:
...the gentlemen present in favor of this new movement

For a record of the Convention proceedings see the minutes of the Convention printed by Mr. Dick in the Douglass print shop in Rochester, NY.

After Seneca Falls, the women's movement picked up steam.

July 5th is not just the day after...

Like the song says: People just want to be free!


But if hearts knew the immensity of what lies ahead, would they declare? A Declaration of freedom or independence is only the first step. The work that follows a Declaration is always a surprise - it waits around the corner. But having taken that first step, the direction is clear and the outcome is inevitable.

Declaring Independence is a radical, decisive act. It does not matter whether the arena is national politics or individual health. It is a watershed moment requiring faith and courage. Independence, freedom from oppression, is a right idea carrying the right of way within it. It draws an indelible line of demarcation.

July is the month when I celebrate the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America but I am not alone. To others in other nations who celebrate their Independence in July:  
Happy Independence and Godspeed.