Women's Rights Convention-Harper's Weekly June 11, 1859

Women's Rights Convention-Harper's Weekly June 11, 1859

This image is from Harper's Weekly on June 11, 1859 and has a particular relationship to Henry James' Washington Square. It is of a women’s rights convention held in New York. In the image, a woman is asserting herself and her independence by advocating for women’s rights in front of other women and male supporters. However, men in the balcony are yelling at the woman, challenging her and other women by drowning them out in the hopes of maintaining female submissiveness. During this period, women were entering the public arena, asserting their rights and independence. In the midst of this atmosphere, Catherine strongly voiced her independent-mindedness by challenging her father and his negative opinion about her relationship with Morris. She showed a determination and assuredness in her own judgment about continuing the relationship. Catherine also worked with charitable organizations, hospitals, and aid societies which reflected women's increasing role in the public venue during the 1850s and onward. Many women were participating in reform movements during this era such a women's rights, antislavery activity, educational improvements, and temperance.

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"Women's Rights Convention-Harper's Weekly June 11, 1859." Harper's Weekly. Web. 21 Oct. 2015. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Womens_rights_convention-Harpers_Weekly_June_11_1859.jpg

Harper's Weekly

June 11, 1859

Gary Guy

1859