Although the Seneca Falls gathering is widely recognized as a turning point in the women’s rights movement, the 1848 convention was organized quickly and drew attendees from a small regional area. Two years later in 1850, the first National Woman’s Rights Convention met in Worcester, Massachusetts. Over 250 women and men from across the Northeast, Midwest, and California attended the two-day conference. Among the speakers were Sojourner Truth and Lucy Stone. News of the meeting spread, even reaching England where Harriet Taylor, future wife of John Stuart Mill, published a widely read favorable analysis of the proceedings with a carefully reasoned constitutional argument later used by American suffragists. A second national convention held a year later in Worcester drew supportive letters from around the world.

Document A

An excerpt from Harriet Taylor’s The Proceedings of the Woman’s Rights Convention stating the resolutions from the convention, which the attendees unanimously approved in 1850.

“Whereas, The very contracted sphere of action prescribed for woman, arising from an unjust view of her nature, capacities, and powers, and from the infringement of her just rights as an equal with man, — is highly injurious to her physical, mental, and moral development; therefore, Resolved, That we will not cease our earnest endeavors to secure for her political, legal, and social equality with man…

“Resolved, That every human being of full age, and resident for a proper length of time on the soil of the nation,…is entitled to a voice in its enactments; that every such person, whose property or labor is taxed for the support of government, is entitled to a direct share in such government. Therefore,…women are clearly entitled to the right of suffrage, and to be considered eligible to office…the denial of which is a gross usurpation, on the part of man, no longer to be endured; and that every party which claims to represent the humanity, civilization, and progress of the age, is bound to inscribe on its banners, Equality before the law, without distinction of sex or color. Resolved, That political rights acknowledge no sex, and therefore the word ‘male’ should be stricken from every State Constitution. Resolved, That the laws of property, as affecting married parties, demand a thorough revisal, so that all rights may be equal between them…”