Matilda Joslyn Gage: Women's Rights Activist

A society where women hold significant power, influence, and authority, often including roles in leadership, property ownership, and decision-making.

A group of six Iroquois tribes who lived in the Seneca Falls area and had a highly influential matriarchal society.

The right to vote in political elections.

The belief that everyone, regardless of gender, should have equal rights and opportunities.

A woman who actively campaigned for women's right to vote.

Matilda Joslyn Gage, a prominent women's rights activist and author, believed that individuals should be able to think independently and express their views, regardless of their age.

Matilda's interest in women's rights stemmed from her opposition to oppression, which she actively demonstrated by participating in abolitionist movements and advocating for the rights of African Americans.

Matilda Gage’s beliefs were influenced by her experience growing up in an environment where women were expected to be silent and submissive, which she countered by promoting the idea that individuals should be free to express themselves.

Matilda's husband, Henry Gage, shared her passion for reform and supported her activism, creating a welcoming home environment for reformers and those working on societal changes.

Matilda's early public speaking experiences at women's rights conventions marked the beginning of her career as an advocate for women's suffrage, highlighting the importance of women's voice and participation in public life.

Matilda Gage criticized religion's role in limiting women's lives and argued for personal autonomy and freedom, challenging the traditional view of women's roles as defined by religious doctrines.

Matilda Gage countered the criticism of women's rights by using historical, philosophical, and literary arguments, demonstrating her intellectual prowess and challenging traditional societal norms about women's roles.

Matilda Gage's admiration for the Native American communities in central New York, who treated women as equals, inspired her understanding of gender equality and challenged the European patriarchal system.

The book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum. It is a children's fantasy novel that follows the journey of Dorothy Gale in the magical Land of Oz, where she seeks to return home. The story is known for its memorable characters, such as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.

L. Frank Baum was a prolific writer who is best known for his creation of the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He explored themes of empowering women in his writing, challenging traditional gender roles by portraying women in powerful and unconventional positions.

Matilda Joslyn Gage, a prominent women's suffrage advocate, was a strong advocate for women's rights. She believed in the equality of men and women, and her writings frequently called for women's participation in society on an equal footing with men.

During her tenure as president of the National Woman Suffrage Association, Matilda Joslyn Gage traveled to the Iroquois nation in upstate New York, studying their social and political structures, specifically their matrilineal system, where women played a significant role in tribal governance. Gage was impressed by the equality women enjoyed in the Iroquois culture, where they had voting rights and held positions of power.

Matilda Joslyn Gage's book Woman, Church and State outlined her beliefs about women's social and political oppression. The book argued that the Christian church, with its male leadership structure, had historically hindered women's progress and denied them opportunities for advancement. She asserted that women should be free from the constraints imposed by the church and have equal rights to men.

Matilda Joslyn Gage's advocacy played a significant role in securing women's right to vote in school board elections in New York State. However, the right was later revoked due to opposition from educators, who were unhappy with the results of women voting for women to lead school boards.

Matilda Joslyn Gage, along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, were leaders in the women's suffrage movement. They were active in advocating for women's rights to vote and participate in society on an equal footing with men. Their work involved writing, organizing, and public speaking about the importance of women's suffrage.

"The soul must assert its own supremacy or die!"