The Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives Receiving A Deputation of Female Suffragists

Credit: Library of Congress
Media type: engraving
Museum Number: LC-USZ62-2023
Annotation: This engraving, taken from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, portrays Victoria Woodhull argues for women’s suffrage before the House Judiciary Committee on 2 January 1871, surrounded by prmominent suffragists of the day. Woodhull, a successfull businesswoman and lobbyist, used her considerable experience to revive the older argument for women’s voting rights based on the content of the Constitution. Woodhull’s basic yet poignant argument helped to sway the opinions of several committee members, earning her the admiration of such notable suffragists as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who envisioned Woodhull as the future of the movement. “women are the equals of men before the law, and are equal in all their rights.” -Victoria Woodhull
Year: 1871