Early Women’s Rights Movements

Early women’s rights movements emerged in the 19th century as women sought equality in voting, property ownership, education, and legal rights. Activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony in the U.S. and Emmeline Pankhurst in the UK organized protests, conventions, and lobbying efforts to challenge societal norms that limited women’s roles. These movements laid the groundwork for future gender equality, emphasizing that women should have the same political and social rights as men. Their efforts marked the beginning of a larger, ongoing struggle for women’s rights around the world.