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Stanton Standing for Women

Grades: 
6, 7, 8
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Biography
Character Education: Integrity
Racism

We explore the integrity of Elizabeth Cady Stanton who fought for the rights of women when many people disagreed they should be allowed to vote. She was strong in her cause for women, but in the mid-1800s, she didn't speak up for Black women who were fighting the same right to vote. 

Duration 
PrintOne 20-minute lesson
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • explore the ways Elizabeth Cady Stanton did and didn't act with integrity in the context of the 1800s.
Bibliography 
  • NPR. For Suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton, All Women Were Not Created Equal, 2011.
  • National Women's History Museum. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 2017.
  • History.com. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 2009.
Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Ask the learners to guess the year that women were legally given the right to vote in the United States. They may be surprised to hear that it wasn't until 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution prohibited gender-based restrictions on voting. Tell them that today they are going to read about a woman who was a leader in the suffragist movement in 1848.

  2. Read about Elizabeth Cady Stanton online (see bibliography above) and discuss the following questions together or in small groups.

    • What influenced her to be a strong advocate for women's rights at a time when it was bold for women to take a stand?
    • In what ways did she show integrity?
    • In what way was she not "true to others"? 

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Give examples of how individuals have helped others.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Give political and historic reasons why civil society groups have formed in the nation and world.
      2. Benchmark MS.4 Describe the characteristics of someone who helps others.
      3. Benchmark MS.5 Identify historic examples of citizens using civil society organizations to petition the government.
    2. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark MS.5 Discuss examples of groups denied their rights in history.
      2. Benchmark MS.7 Identify women and minorities who are or have been leaders in the civil society sector.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.10 Identify reasons why historic figures acted for the common good.