The Women’s Suffrage Movement in the Perspective

The Women's Suffrage Movement was a major turning point in American history. Before this important cycle of events, women were treated like property during marriage. They were regarded as being too delicate to understand society, and were thought to be only capable of taking care of the house. Women usually did not have a good education and could not run for any type of political office. Many women began to dislike and felt tired of this stereotyping. They then decided to change the way they world views them.

When the movement broke out, there were numerous citizens who opposed women's suffrage for fear that women will neglect their households if the movement succeeds. Suffragists will have to deal with torment, imprisonment, and sometimes death. Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Alice Blackwell, and Frederick Douglass are among the many men and women who contributed to their one goal: to achieve women's suffrage. The 19th Amendment granting women's suffrage will be passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920.

I, Carrie Chapman Catt, had to keep reminding myself that I have finally reached my lifelong goal: women's suffrage. With each step closer to the White House, my happiness and excitement increased. I can legally vote alongside all people! Questioning why my mother could not vote, standing up to the boys on the playground, and leading the National American Women's Suffrage Association all led up to my dream. Every single memory and moment played an important role, and it all had payed off.

I am suddenly confronted by a middle aged man who seems angry at the sight of me. Ms. Carrie, turn around and walk back home immediately. You shall not vote! Women belong at home with their children. They should not be doing men's work. It is not right! he yells at me. Another man comes up beside him and says, I agree. Women belong in the kitchen. We as men can do all the work on our own. I quietly thought to myself that there is a need for cooking and taking care of a family, but everyone deserves equality. All genders and races deserve a chance at life. We all are human, and we need to be treated equally. I need to attend an important meeting at the White House. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to make it on time, I politely told the two men. I quickly walked around the tall men and continued my way to the White House.

As I arrive, I am greeted by several politicians and fellow suffragists whom I worked with on this journey. At the sight of the marble steps, memories of me standing tall before the White House for hours, protesting, rush into my head. An anonymous woman runs up to me and cries, Thank you for your courage to make this happen. I am happy my daughter will get the chance to vote in the future. Before she is pushed away by the crowd, I said, You are very welcome. Woodrow Wilson, the President of our beautiful nation, comes up to me and says, Carrie, you are such an unforgettable woman. Come with me, the voting booths are ready.

I follow him through the crowd of politicians, people, and reporters to the inside of the magnificent White House. We go through a few hallways until we finally reach a room with three voting booths. Go ahead and vote. Everyone is waiting, he whispers in my ear.

I calmly walk toward the voting booth in the center, and pull open the bright red curtain aside. I adjust my bonnet to boost my confidence as I enter the booth. I quickly pull the red lever to my right to make the curtains shut. As I look up, I marvel at the machinery. There are many rows of tiny levers with candidates's names on the left of them. I carefully flick the levers to make my choices and stop to think. I can finally input my opinion for my country! I read over my decisions once again and pull the large red lever to my left so I can submit my votes. The red curtain slides open, and I am surprised by a huge cheer. Women, politicians, and newspaper reporters are all cheering for me. Woodrow Wilson shakes my hand and congratulates me on my hard work. I stay for a few minutes to answer questions from the press.

I was able to accomplish my lifelong goal and change history. As I happily stroll down the street back to my apartment, I smile because I had realized that this historical event will be the first step to many movements for equality. All people have a chance to change what society thinks of them and can use that opportunity for a positive change to occur.

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