Introduction
Susan B. Anthony spent her life fighting for the rights of women. She refused to let women be known only as housewives and child bearers. She fought against men who said that women did not belong in the business world nor should they have a voice in politics. During the era in which Anthony lived and campaigned, women were looked down upon for speaking up. She fought to give them a voice.
Some areas of the world today continue to view women as inferior and treat them poorly. Even in the USA, some women are told when they can speak or eat, how to dress and what to do. That is why battered women shelters are necessary.
Susan B. Anthony succeeded in making sure that we as women have the right not only to vote but to be viewed as equals. Ask one of the women to share further information about Anthony with the group. For information on her life, visit the local library or the following websites:
https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/susan-b-anthony
https://www.biography.com (Search under her name for videos.)
Trivia Questions
- Susan B. Anthony’s parents didn’t want her to play with toys or games because _______ They didn’t want her distracted by unimportant things.
- How old was Susan when she learned to read and write? 3 years old
- The Temperance movement wanted to help people with_____ Drinking problems
- What was the name of Susan’s weekly newspaper? “The Revolution”
- How was Susan B. Anthony honored in 1979? They put her picture on one–dollar coin.
- Susan was born on February 15, ______________. 1820
- Susan’s first occupation was a _________________________ Teacher
- Susan B. Anthony and Fredrick Douglass were ______________________. Abolitionists
- She joined the teacher’s union to fight for ________ Equal pay for men and women
- Susan was arrested in 1872 for _________ Voting
Activities
Invite the director of the local battered women’s shelter to talk to the women about how their program works. Invite the women to put together some baskets containing basic items that can be presented to the shelter. Inquire if there are any classes that the women could hold at the shelter to assist the residents. This could be cooking, sewing, reading or financial educational classes.
Memento
Ask the women to bring a memento of a woman who has impacted them or helped them to be who they are today. Invite them to share the memento and tell about that woman.
Refreshments
Serve “women and girls” deserts such as Little Debbie’s®, Sara Lee®, Marie Callendar’s®, Mrs. Smith’s pies®.
Speak Up
We read in Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice.” King Lemuel, who wrote Proverbs 31, indicates that this is a message his mother taught him. His mother was like all other mothers. She wanted to give her son some good advice that would help him throughout his life. My mother loves to give advice, and I find myself giving my own daughters advice that I believe will help them.
The words of Proverbs 31:8–9 applies to us all today. It’s easy to sit back and say that we don’t want to get involved. However, God tells us to get involved and to help when needed. We read in 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” We are asked to share with others the talents and gifts that God has given us.
Susan B. Anthony lived out the verses of Proverbs 31:8–9 throughout her life. She did everything she could to be heard and to change things. She gave countless speeches, traveled to many cities and was even arrested, but she never strayed from her mission. Even after all that Susan had gone through for her cause, she said, “I have given my life and all I am to it, and now I want my last act to be to give it all I have.”
We all have the ability to help others and change the world around us. Susan B. Anthony said it this way: “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball—the further I am rolled the more I gain.” Our faith and experience helps us to grow and become a resource to help others through trials we may have gone through ourselves. Are we willing to commit our lives to the mission God has planned for us and never be deterred? Are we willing to do whatever we need to do to help those in need and to give a voice to those who feel lost and alone? Psalm 22 talks about how we might be surrounded on all sides, but God will be right there beside us in everything we go through if we are willing to trust Him.
Susan said, “Oh, if I could but live another century and see the fruition of all the work for women! There is so much yet to be done.” Even now, there is so much to be done for God’s Kingdom. Are we willing to be used by God to help get it done?
