By YM/GySgt Jude Smith Division 3 Public Affairs Correspondent Capital City (NC) Throughout America’s history, there have been many courageous men and women who have exemplified American Values. But what are American Values? These are the values that every Ameri- can should take pride in and live by. One of those American Values is free- dom.Susan B.Anthony is one example of somebody who demonstrated this value. She helped African Americans gain full citizenship, fought to have women ob- tain the right to vote, and fought for women to have equal salaries as men, among many other ac- complishments. Susan B. Anthony was born on Feb- ruary 18, 1820 in Adams, MA. In 1846, she be- gan to teach at the Canajoharie Academy at the age of 26. While teaching at the academy, she noticed the gap between the monthly salaries between men and women. Men had salaries up to $10 a month, while women had salaries up to $2.50 a month.Along with other women, she campaigned to demand equal pay. She also began campaigning against alcohol. It was that moment she was in- spired to fight for women’s right to vote. In 1849,she left the academy to focus on these issues. During a temperance con- vention (a meeting of those opposed to the consumption of alcohol), she wanted to speak on her own behalf to discuss this issue, but was denied the opportu- nity because she was a female. She real- ized that people wouldn’t take women seriously unless women had the right to vote. In 1852, she, along with Elizabeth C. Stanton,formed the New York State Tem- perance Society, which allowed women to speak publicly about alcohol. They also formed the New York State Woman’s Rights Committee. In 1863, Presidential Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipa- tion Proclamation, which allowed slaves to be freed. This either frustrated or excited people. Susan wanted to cam- paign for all African American men and women, so she formed the Women’s Na- tional Loyal League to support the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. When the Civil War ended, Susan be- gan to focus more on voting rights for women. In 1866, she helped establish the American Equal Rights Association, which was a cause for people of different races and sexes to have equal rights. During the year of 1868, Stanton and Anthony came together to publish “The Revolution” a publication that was in favor of women’s rights.The publication’s motto was “Men their rights, and nothing more; women their rights, and nothing less.” After a constant effort with speeches and rallies, she took matters into her own hands, and in 1872, she voted il- legally during the presidential election. Other women followed her idea, but Susan Anthony was the only one who was arrested and charged. Anthony was charged $100 for the crime, but refused to pay the fine. She felt there was no wrong doing in this process. She did something that was not equally avail- able to women. In 1905, she met with President The- odore Roosevelt to talk about the is- sues they were facing and asked for an amendment to be passed for women to have the right to vote. She even went before Congress to discuss this issue. Unfortunately, Congress did not agree. On March 13, 1905, a year after she went to Congress, Susan B. Anthony passed away in her home in Rochester, NY. Although she had given many speeches, and fought for what she believed in and inspired people,she felt as if it was cruel to live without a little bit of liberty. She said to her friend, “To think I have had more than 60 years of hard struggle for a little liberty, and then to die without it seems so cruel.” In 1920,14 years af- ter Susan’s passing, Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which gave all adult women the right to vote. This American Value was shown through hard work and determination. This woman fought relentlessly to gain freedom for women when they weren’t able to have it. The Declaration of Independence states, “All men are created equal”. That doesn’t mean “men” as in boys and men; it means “men”as in the human race, and that is what Susan worked to achieve. Her last words were, “Failure is impos- sible”, and this is a true statement. She did not stop and fail; she kept working to achieve her goal of securing women’s right to vote. She was an outstanding person and role model, especially for women. Not only was she fighting for herself and all women, she helped all people. She helped African Americans gain citizenship, other races to secure rights, and much more. I believe that the Young Marines, along with American citizens, have the duty of protecting the freedom of the human race, like Susan B. Anthony did so many years ago. Susan B.Anthony: The Fight for Womens’ Right to Vote A Y O U N G M A R I N E S ’ E S S AY O N A M E R I C A N VA L U E S Susan B. Anthony realized that people wouldn’t take women seriously unless women had the right to vote. 34 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT Online