A Voice of Their Own

Book excerpt: A Voice of Their Own explores the consciousness-raising role of the American suffrage press of the latter half of the 19th century. From the first women's rights convention - a modest gathering of 300 sympathizers led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton - grew the ever-expanding movement for equal rights, greater protection, and improved opportunities. Although the leaders of that and subsequent conventions realized that such public rallies, with their exhortative speeches, were crucial in gaining support for the movement, they also recognized the potential impact of another medium - the women's suffrage periodicals, written and published by and expressly for women. The 11 essays of this volume demonstrate how the suffrage press - in such works as Woman's Journal, Woman's Tribune, Woman's Exponent, and Farmer's Wife - was able to educate an audience of women readers, create a sense of community among them, and help alter their self-image.