Mayor Slingerland's Equality Day Proclamation
On August 26, 2009, the 89th anniversary of Women’s Equality Day, Johnstown’s Mayor Sarah Slingerland read a proclamation before a gathered crowd in front of the city’s plaque honoring Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Thus, officially recognizing this important occasion in Mrs. Stanton’s hometown. After reading it, the mayor handed ECSHA vice-chairwoman Nancy Baird Brown the framed proclamation for the organization’s caretaking. Mayor Slingerland is the first woman mayor of Johnstown in over 250 years and her leadership is a testament to Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s legacy of empowerment for women and equal rights for all citizens.
Birthday Tribute to Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Kelly Brown stands next to the Elizabeth Cady Stanton plaque in Johnstown's Park on West Main Street, holding her ECSHA Certificate of Appreciation.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born in Johnstown on Nov. 12, 1815, and Johnstown High School senior Kelly M. Brown wrote this 2009 birthday tribute for her. The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association awarded a Certificate of Appreciation with a thank-you gift to Brown for the following essay:
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Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a remarkable woman who played a major role in the Woman's Suffrage Movement. Her braveness, tenacity and strong will succeeded in making tremendous gains for women across the country. She is not only a renowned local historical figure having grown up in Johnstown, but she is a national hero as well. Her achievements and influence have spread far greater than one can imagine.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton once said, "Who, I ask you, can take, dare take on himself the rights, the duties, the responsibilities of another human soul?" I agree with that statement in the fact that each individual should be able to choose for him or herself what he or she will be allowed to do. Biological factors such as skin color, race, disabilities and gender should not be allowed to hinder one's ability to participate in anything.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton eloquently articulated this argument in her 1892 speech "The Solitude of Self," which she claims to be "the best thing [she] has ever written." A brave and bold woman, Stanton put herself out there against the discrimination of men to fight for what she believed in. She dedicated her life to the cause that would not even be fully accomplished during her lifetime, but paved the way to create our lives as women we know today. Without her devotion, I would not be applying to colleges, my mother would not have voted in the election last week, Mayor Sarah Slingerland would not have the title mayor, and my basketball team would not have been Foothills Council champions. Stanton had a major role in allowing women in colleges, giving women the right to vote, allowing women to run for office, and having female sports teams.
"We come into the world alone, unlike all who have gone before us; we leave it alone, under circumstances peculiar to ourselves," Stanton wrote in "The Solitude of Self."
Every human being has the ability to impact the world in their own way. Whether they chose to use that ability or not is up to them. Stanton chose to make an immense impact on the world so women of the future could do so too without facing as much adversity as she had to. It is an honor to have grown up in a town that was once inhabited by such a renowned woman as Elizabeth Cady Stanton. It is a privilege to be able to participate in a tribute and celebration of Stanton. "Happy birthday" Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Students Respond to Elizabeth Cady Stanton Re-enactor Visit
On September 12, 2008, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association sponsored “Welcome Home Elizabeth” — A monologue about the life and times of Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented by re-enactor Eleanor Stearns. There were 200 4th and 5th graders from Gloversville and Johnstown elementary schools who attended the morning event where they had the chance to ask questions about Johnstown’s most famous daughter. That morning the ECSHA announced an essay contest to be judged by Mayor Sarah Slingerland with the winning entries published in the newspaper in honor of Stanton’s birthday on November 12th. These are the two selected contest winners. Thanks to all students who submitted essays about this inspirational woman.
“Why Elizabeth Cady Stanton Inspires Me”
By Tanner Hlozansky
Glebe Elementary School, Johnstown, NY
5th Grade
Elizabeth Cady Stanton is a wonderful person. She gave rights to women all over the USA. This person lived right here in Johnstown.
What surprised me the most about Elizabeth is that she had a father that was at one time the richest man in Johnstown. This is surprising because back then it was 10 in 1 million that were rich and wealthy.
Elizabeth lived in Johnstown for most of her childhood. When she grew up to be about 20-30 she married a guy named Henry Brewster Stanton. This man was 10 years older than Elizabeth. Elizabeth Cady Stanton moved to Seneca Falls, New York in 1847 and had three energetic boys with Henry.
I think that hearing about Elizabeth’s story inspired me to think more about how bad life was for women and how much Elizabeth changed all that.
In conclusion you can see that Elizabeth Cady Stanton turned out to be a legend and you still hear stories about her today.
“Why Elizabeth Cady Stanton Inspires Me”
By Kalle Tabor
Park Terrace Elementary School, Gloversville, NY
4th Grade
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an amazing person. She wanted to help the women’s rights association. When she was young her mother had two boys. Surprisingly one died. Her father didn’t like this because boys were the ones back then that got all the credit. Her only brother left also died. She sat on her father’s lap and said, “you still have me.” Her father said, “I wish you were a boy.”
Flora C. needed a home and asked Elizabeth’s father. He said all he could do was provide shelter. Elizabeth was angry and snipped his right’s book. Her dad said that when she got older she should go for the women’s rights association. When she got older she did.
I am inspired by Elizabeth Cady Stanton because she fought for women’s rights. She made it possible for women to have custody of their children and why they were able to work and own homes. Also because she could stand up for herself and others. That’s why I’m inspired by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association
P.O. Box 753
Johnstown, NY 12095-0753
© 2010
