THE LADLES OF SENECA FALLS

by Miriam Gurko ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 14, 1974

Miriam Gurko aims to take a broader view of the 19th century feminist movement -- to see its founders as a whole rather than as followers of one or two highly visible leaders. And certainly, this highly readable history does reintroduce us to some fascinating lesser known women -- Seneca Falls postal clerk Amelia Bloomer, preacher Lucretia Mott (of course) and her more quiet but influential sister Martha Wright, Emma Willard whose pro-suffrage leadership of the WCTU was a mixed blessing for the movement, the learned Margaret Fuller whose now unread Woman in the 19th Century sounded the battle cry. One can't help noticing (though Gurko doesn't press the point) how strikingly similar were the life histories of these women -- ambitious, liberal fathers, unusually passive, overburdened mothers, exceptional educations, few work opportunities, volunteer work. And this overview clarifies, as few biographies do, how other reform movements -- abolition, temperance -- first spawned feminists and then later (in different ways) came to conflict with the goal of suffrage. In the end, however, the twin stars of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony shine brighter than ever: Anthony, for her single-minded (though tactically blunt) organizational efforts in behalf of suffrage -- pursued while every one of her fellow workers took time out for marriage; and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, that round-raced, white-haired mother of seven, who was by far the feminists' most creative, hardy theoretician -- one of the first to dare call for suffrage and equally ready to challenge the whole institution of marriage and the sexist bias of the Bible. A fine, substantial popular history and the best testament yet to the genius of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Pub Date: Oct. 14, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 328

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION