Lucy Stone
Lucy Stone
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Lucy Stone's full name was Lucy Larcom Stone, although she is often referred to as simply Lucy Stone.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 13, 1818, in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, Lucy Stone passed away on October 18, 1893, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Lucy Stone was an American abolitionist, women's rights activist, and orator. Her tireless advocacy for social justice earned her a prominent place in American history.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued education and moral integrity, Lucy Stone developed strong convictions from an early age. She was the fourth of six children born to Thomas and Hannah Larcom, who instilled in their children the importance of hard work and compassion for others. After completing her primary education, Lucy taught school in various towns before marrying Henry Blackwell in 1855.
Major Accomplishments
Lucy Stone's life was marked by numerous significant accomplishments:
Abolitionist Movement: She joined the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) in 1836 and became a prominent speaker, advocating for the immediate emancipation of slaves. Her impassioned speeches, both written and spoken, were instrumental in shaping public opinion against slavery.
Women's Rights: Stone was an early advocate for women's rights, cofounding the American Equal Rights Association (AERA) with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. She also organized a national convention on women's suffrage.
Marriage Reform: In 1855, Lucy married Henry Blackwell, but she refused to take his name. This bold move sparked a national debate about the propriety of women keeping their own names after marriage.Notable Works or Actions
Lucy Stone wrote several articles and pamphlets on abolitionism and women's rights. Some notable works include:
"The Rights of Women" (1873) - A speech advocating for equal rights and pay for women.
"A Brief Sketch of Lucy Stone's Life" (1891) - An autobiography that chronicles her life's work.Impact and Legacy
Lucy Stone's tireless efforts to end slavery and secure women's rights left a lasting impact on American society:
Her unwavering dedication to the abolitionist movement helped galvanize public opinion against slavery, paving the way for the eventual emancipation of slaves.
As an early advocate for women's suffrage, Stone played a crucial role in shaping the women's rights movement.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Lucy Stone is widely quoted and remembered for her:
Courageous activism: Her unwavering commitment to social justice, despite facing significant opposition, has inspired generations of activists.
* Powerful speeches: Her eloquence and persuasive abilities made her a compelling voice in the fight against slavery and for women's rights.
Quotes by Lucy Stone
A wife should no more take her husband's name than he should hers. My name is my identity and must not be lost.
But I do believe that a woman's truest place is in a home, with a husband and with children, and with large freedom, pecuniary freedom, personal freedom, and the right to vote.
I know not what you believe of God, but I believe He gave yearnings and longings to be filled, and that He did not mean all our time should be devoted to feeding and clothing the body.
In Massachusetts, where properly qualified ‘persons’ were allowed to practice law, the Supreme Court decided that a woman was not a ‘person,’ and a special act of the legislature had to be passed before Miss Lelia Robinson could be admitted to the bar. But today women are lawyers.
But I do believe that a woman’s truest place is in a home, with a husband and with children, and with large freedom, pecuniary freedom, personal freedom, and the right to vote.
The widening of woman’s sphere is to improve her lot. Let us do it, and if the world scoff, let it scoff if it sneer, let it sneer.
Too much has already been said and written about women’s sphere. Leave women, then, to find their sphere.
In education, in marriage, in religion, in everything, disappointment is the lot of women. It shall be the business of my life to deepen this disappointment in every woman’s heart until she bows down to it no longer.
A wife should no more take her husband’s name than he should hers. My name is my identity and must not be lost.