Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Title: Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Author: Tanya Lee Stone

Illustrated by: Rebecca Gibbon

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition (April 29, 2008)

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Summary:
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote is an inspiring story of a determined young woman who stood up for what she believed in and fought for women's equality. During the nineteenth-century in America, women were not allowed to do anything besides wed and take care of their children. Although Elizabeth participated in these "womanly duties," she did not let it define her as a person. She hated hearing that being born male ensured the child of having a "better" life, so she gathered a group of women whom also believed in women's equality, to challenge women's right to vote.

Element #4 - Social Movements and Social Change:
This book does a great job with showing females that they should never accept double standards or believe that males are superior/better than them. Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote gives students a history lesson on the steps taken by Elizabeth Cady Stanton to fight for women's equality. Although the Nineteenth Amendment went into effect eighteen years after she died, she was one of the influential females that pushed for women to have equal rights. In regards to both males and females, it encourages them to stand up for what they believe in and not to take "you can't" for an answer.

Follow-Up Activity:

Fortunately, this book can be used to teach a lot of lessons to children such as women's rights, women's role during the nineteenth century, equality, etc. I would like to introduce Elizabeth Cady Stanton to the class, as well as her heavy involvement with the fight for women's rights. I will include her work and influential leaders who fought with her in this change, as well as her association with fugitive slaves. Students will gain a history lesson on the women's movement and be able to critically examine how she contributed to anti-slavery, changed the world for women in America, amongst other great things.

For an example, click here.