Timeline of Women's Suffrage Movement in U.S.

1839-1854 

Equity Laws passed in Mississippi, New York and Massachusetts allowing married women to own property and separate from husbands.

1848

First women's rights convention met at Wesleyan church chapel in Seneca Falls, New York. The Declaration of Sentiments was adopted, mirroring the Declaration of Independence.

1869

National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was created by Anthony and Stanton. Stone and Beecher found the American Woman Suffrage Association. The NWSA worked to get a federal woman-suffrage law passed, and the AWSA worked to get state laws passed.

1869-1870

Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were passed, granting suffrage to all American men, regardless of race or ethnicity. These amendments do not include women.

1870

Thirteen women, including Anthony, are permitted to vote, by convincing the election inspectors that the 15th Amendment gave them the right to vote. The women and three inspectors are arrested and all fined. Anthony refused to pay her fine.

1890

The NWSA and AWSA joined forces, forming the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).

1907

Equality League of Self-Supporting Women, later called the Women's Political Union founded by Harriet Stanton Blatch, daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

1910

NAWSA collected over 500,000 signatures supporting federal legislation on woman suffrage.

1910s

Legislation limiting working hours and improving working conditions for women was passed nationally.

1915

American Medical Association began admitting women members.

1917

Jeanette Rankin of Montana, was elected as the first black women to serve in the House of Representatives.

1920

The Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed, granting women the right to vote.