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Elizabeth Cady and Susan B. Anthony

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 · rating details · 38 ratings · 18 reviews

In the Spring of 1851 two women met on a street corner in Seneca Falls, New York—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a thirty-five year old mother of four boys, and Susan B. Anthony, a thirty-one year old, unmarried, former school teacher. Immediately drawn to each other, they formed an everlasting and legendary friendship. Together they challenged entrenched beliefs, customs, and l

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Hardcover, 272 pages

Published May 10th 2011 by Henry Holt & Company

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Mar 20, 2013 Noelle Daugherty rated it 3 of 5 stars

Explore into the 1820s to the 1900s as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fight for women’s rights like never before. You wouldn’t think that a single friendship could make a difference in world history until you read and discover about the lives of these two amazing women. In Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony written by Penny Colman, Elizabeth and Susan grow up in a time where women did not have the basic rights that men and women have today. Both women struggled throughout t...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Rebecca Reid rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: b-nonfic-bio-memoir, c-kids-young-adult, b-nonfic-history

Penny Colman’s young adult biography of the two women (titled Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony: A Friendship That Changed the World) tells their story, especially focusing on the women’s rights work that they dedicated their lives to. Although the book had some flaws, it was full of history that I needed to learn and I’m glad I read it.

Penny Colman’s biography was strongest in part 1, when it focused on the girl’s upbringings. She seemed to have a tone of personality that brought me,...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars

The prologue invites the reader to imagine a time in America when girls were considered weaker and inferior to boys, when they required less, if any, education, should never speak in public, should always be escorted, had no legal rights after marriage, and could not vote.
Divided into chapters that chunk the history of the two women into a few years at a time, the author begins with an examination of their childhood. Both were born into New England families who valued education for both sexes a...more The prologue invites the reader to imagine a time in America when girls were considered weaker and inferior to boys, when they required less, if any, education, should never speak in public, should always be escorted, had no legal rights after marriage, and could not vote.
Divided into chapters that chunk the history of the two women into a few years at a time, the author begins with an examination of their childhood. Both were born into New England families who valued education for both sexes and deplored slavery. Stanton grew up fairly well-to-do, with a father who practiced law and became a judge; Anthony's family was Quaker and owned a textile mill. Both received good educations for their time. Initially, Elizabeth worked to fight against slavery, and Susan was involved in the temperance movement. However, in 1848, Elizabeth began working for women's rights. In 1852 she was introduced to Susan, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The ensuing chapters are eye-opening for those unfamiliar with the history of the woman's movement in America. Stanton's and Anthony's tireless efforts to force Congress to recognize women as citizens with voting rights seem astonishing by today's standards; not until 1920 did women achieve that right to vote – 18 years after Stanton's death, and 14 after Anthony's.
During those decades the two became almost inseparable friends and together suffered insults, ridicule, crushing defeats, even death threats, and a few victories. They made many allies but lost friends as well. Stanton was the speech writer, dashing off riveting public addresses for scores of conventions. Often she could not attend them due to the need to attend to her ever-growing family. Susan, who never married, often delivered those stirring speeches in her absence, and came to depend on Elizabeth to put their collective passion into fiery words.
The book includes a chronology of events, a list of places to visit should the reader wish to follow in these grand women's footsteps, as well as one of buildings to which their names are attached, and extensive source notes and bibliography.
This is a terrific introduction to those who want to know more about the woman on the dollar coin as well as the woman who was her mentor, inspiration, and dearest friend.(less)

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May 04, 2011 Margo Tanenbaum rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, women-s-history

Award-winning non-fiction author Penny Colman has written extensively for young people about the history of women in America, and her newest book focuses on "a friendship that changed the world"--Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, two of the leaders of the 19th century American suffragist movement. While there are many women who fought for the right to vote, Colman points out in her preface that these two women in particular are remembered for "their fierce, relentless, groundbreaking...more Award-winning non-fiction author Penny Colman has written extensively for young people about the history of women in America, and her newest book focuses on "a friendship that changed the world"--Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, two of the leaders of the 19th century American suffragist movement. While there are many women who fought for the right to vote, Colman points out in her preface that these two women in particular are remembered for "their fierce, relentless, groundbreaking leadership and their powerful friendship in the fight for women's rights." Their friendship lasted a remarkable 51 years, sustaining the whole movement, although sadly neither lived to see Congress pass the 19th amendment.

Colman paints a fascinating dual portrait in this book, which although published for young people, is equally suitable for adult readers looking for a well-written and reasonably comprehensive introduction to both women's lives. In the beginning of the book, she alternates chapter by chapter, telling the story of both women's childhoods separately. They grew up in quite different circumstances, Elizabeth in a large, wealthy family with servants, her father a prominent lawyer and judge. When her older brother died at twenty, eleven-year old Elizabeth decided to "be all my brother was," becoming an excellent student (the only girl in a class of all boys, relishing her studies of advanced mathematics and languages) and an accomplished rider. She was shocked at the injustices women suffered under the law, and resolved to take her scissors and cut all the "odious laws...out of the books." Her father gently explained to her that this would not make any difference in women's conditions, since there were many other lawyers and libraries.

Susan, on the other hand, was born into a large Quaker family, with a father who also believed strongly in education for girls as well as boys. Her father managed a textile mill, and Susan was expected to help care for the younger children and pitch in with many household chores. By fifteen, Susan became a teacher in her father's private school, and continued her own education later at a female seminary near Philadelphia.

We see their lives unfold side-by-side: Susan, who had no shortage of suitors, remained an unmarried teacher, and Elizabeth, married to a prominent abolitionist and soon with a house full of children. When Elizabeth moves to Seneca Falls, New York, she begins to plan together with her friends the first "Woman's Rights Convention." They drafted a Declaration of Sentiments, based on the Declaration of Independence, with a resolution on the right of suffrage. Elizabeth's own husband would not agree to it, and the convention was ridiculed in newspapers across the country. But Elizabeth was not intimidated; more women's rights conventions followed, although Elizabeth was unable to attend due to pregnancies and her small children. However, she would write speeches and letters that were read at these meetings by others.

Elizabeth and Susan were eventually introduced by fellow suffragist Amelia Bloomer and immediately hit it off, although at this time Susan did not share Elizabeth's intense commitment to women's rights, being passionately committed instead to the temperance movement. However, Susan's focus soon shifted to the issue of suffrage, as she began to realize that without the vote women couldn't push effectively for any other political changes.

The two women's skills complemented each other very well; Elizabeth didn't have the freedom to travel and make speeches as often as Susan because of her many children, so she often wrote the speeches that Susan then delivered all over the country. Colman takes us chronologically through both of these icons of women's rights long lives, as each continued fighting to the bitter end to see the vote passed for women.

There are many excellent web resources on these two remarkable women. Just to name a few to start with, for more on the web on Susan B. Anthony, see the website for her home in Rochester, New York, now a museum and Winningthevote.org, a project of the Rochester Regional Library Council. For more on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, see Elizabethcadystanton.org and the website for Elizabeth Cady Stanton's house, now run by the National Park Service, which includes this attractive brochure/flyer from the Park Service on Elizabeth's life in Seneca Falls.

I highly recommend this book for purchase by school and public libraries; it could be used for both school reports and also for pleasure reading by young people interested in biographies of great figures from history.(less)

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Nov 20, 2012 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, ya

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Penny Colman did a good job of telling the tale of the women's rights movement through the friendship of these two women. Their determination to create positive change for women's lives helped put the condition of women as citizens in the 19th century into perspective for me. Although they did not live to see women gain national suffrage in their lifetime they were certainly a huge force for change in women's opportunity, both for education and for work. I was als...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Reanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: social-political-commentary, non-fiction

SUMMARY: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan Brownell Anthony were pioneering feminists who fought for woman's suffrage for over half a century. Their passion and complementary personalities rallied their contemporaries, their nation, and finally the world as they inspired thousands upon thousands to confront their beliefs about the role of women in society and in the home. Penny Colman explores their 50 year friendship from the time they were considered outrageous radicals to the time when, throug...more SUMMARY: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan Brownell Anthony were pioneering feminists who fought for woman's suffrage for over half a century. Their passion and complementary personalities rallied their contemporaries, their nation, and finally the world as they inspired thousands upon thousands to confront their beliefs about the role of women in society and in the home. Penny Colman explores their 50 year friendship from the time they were considered outrageous radicals to the time when, through much labor and sacrifice, they became revered revolutionaries.

THE GOOD: Coleman tells each woman's individual story well and weaves the two nicely together when the women begin their friendship and fight for a common cause. She never gives one any more precedence than the other and is careful to maintain the context of the times. It is also an easy read and the subjects are very interesting. She paints a very nice picture of each personality and the book flows rather well. An added bonus is the list of namesakes and places to visit, as well as the timeline in the back.

THE NOT- SO- GOOD: The nature of the content itself lags in some places, and certain subjects, like the reconciliation with Lucy Stone, are handled too briefly. Much detail is given about their fellow pioneers in the beginning, but only a few are mentioned at the end.

IN CONCLUSION: I really enjoyed it. It was easy to follow along; Anthony, Stanton, and their fellow laborers are truly inspiring and I learned so much about the fight for equal rights not only for women, but for slaves as well. Colman also sheds light on rights and privileges today's women take for granted that were hard- earned victories (riding a bike anyone?) for these early suffragists. It normally takes me a little longer to read history books, but this was interesting enough and well- enough paced that I actually carried it with me to read in my spare time. It also motivated me to look into more of her books and more into early suffragettes.(less)

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May 03, 2013 Sistermagpie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-for-work, non-fiction

Really wonderful YA biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The story of all their years together can be so confusing because of the subject matter--they both spend their lives in the pursuit of a single goal, equal rights for women, yet are constantly fighting new ways that the men in charge find to thwart them and changing tactics.

The book really brings to life what a pair they must have been, passionately arguing and then walking arm in arm enjoying each other's company or l...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Being used to reading historical fiction, which entertains while teaching, I have to admit that this book was a bit bland......but it is full of wonderful information and I learned a lot about these two ladies who fronted the long feminism fight and greatly advanced suffrage for women, even though we did not legally get the vote in their lifetime (the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920).
Even though I cannot say this book was a page-turner, I was glad to have read it and learned much about these...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Adrienne rated it 3 of 5 stars

From the time that Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, two of the pioneering forces in the fight for women's rights, met, they were fierce friends, despite their difference. Stanton, a married woman who went on to have seven children, was more radical in some of her beliefs (such as challenging the clergy and even publishing a women's Bible), while Anthony was a single schoolteacher whose first interest was the temperance movement but who soon pushed women's rights beyond . Anthony thri...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Lisa Potocar rated it 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful depiction of the individual and intertwining lives of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony: two of the most powerful female advocates for woman's suffrage in U.S. history. In a fast, entertaining, story-format read, author Penny Colman uses a reservoir of primary research to prove that these women were destined to come together and complement each other in a fierce partnership and loving friendship.

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Jul 09, 2011 Jody rated it 2 of 5 stars

I grabbed this book from the library without realizing that it is written to a YA audience. While I enjoy the genre for fiction, it was a little too pedantic for me. I would recommend it for a younger audience, and in fact will have my 9 year old read it this year before we visit Seneca Falls and the Women's Rights Historical Site. For the mature reader, I recommend Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life by Lori D. Ginzberg.

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Jan 28, 2013 Sherri Stephens rated it 5 of 5 stars

Super book when I think of these two great ladies I think only of the right to vote. Thanks to them fighting for so long we (women) were able to have many other rights. Our legal stand from the Revoulution on was nothing. After marriage we didn't exist. We could be beat, used, couldn't own property, and sent to asylums etc.. if the man should choose to do so. I enjoyed it and recommend the book to everyone.

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Mar 27, 2013 Brynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a quick, excellent read for high school students. I previewed it to book talk to a college history course that needs to choose an outside reading novel and it will be a perfect introduction to the beginning of the women's rights movement. The chapters are short and the author moves the story along, avoiding the details present in longer bios written for adult audiences.

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Jun 22, 2011 BCPL Youth Services Librarian added it

Shelves: biography-memoir, non-fiction

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

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Feb 27, 2011 Edward Sullivan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, young-adult-nonfiction

Fascinating, insightful, and vivid portrait of the friendship between two remarkable women.

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Jul 25, 2011 Leslie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Two of my female heroes. Interesting read. Stanton had a twinkle in her eye and Anthony looks like her stomach hurts. No wonder they got along so well.

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Sep 01, 2011 Katie marked it as to-read

Starting this on August 18--the 91 anniversary of the 19th amendment. 42 years after these two drafted the original.

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Apr 10, 2012 Celeste rated it 3 of 5 stars

I feel bad giving a book about two amazing women three stars, but the book wasn't as great as the women were. I know that both women went to a lot of meetings and met a lot of people, but I wanted more little stories that told me as the reader who they were, and this book didn't have a lot of that. Good overview of their life and it was not too detail laden, so it was easy to read. I just wanted something more I guess.

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May 14, 2013 MHS Library Media Center added it

Shelves: spring-2013-nonfiction

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