Victoria Woodhull
Victoria Woodhull is a little-known but formidable figure who was a prominent suffragette and the first woman to run for US president. She was born in Ohio in 1838 and her parents had previously been held in slavery in the south, before moving north.
Early Life and Struggles
At the age of 15, Woodhull left home, saying she was “determined to make her own way in life.” She worked various odd jobs and eventually became a clairvoyant, snake-oil salesman, and healer. However, it was not until the early 1870s when Woodhull became involved in the women’s suffrage and human rights movement, which she soon dedicated herself to entirely.
Relationship with Susan B. Anthony and Anna Elizabeth Dickinson
Victoria Woodhull’s first foray into the women’s rights and suffrage movement was through her contact with Susan B. Anthony and Anna Elizabeth Dickinson. She worked with both women in the National Women’s Rights Movement in the late 1870s. All three women were forward-thinking in the women’s rights movement and pushed the boundaries of social acceptance.
Woodhull’s Subscription Stock Club
After connecting with Anthony and Dickinson, Woodhull was propelled into a business venture where she created her own brokerage firm called Subscription Stock Club. It was the first women-owned stock brokerage in America and was very successful.
The controversial Woodhull & Claflin Weekly
In 1871, Woodhull wrote, published, and owned with her sister Tennie the Woodhull & Claflin Weekly. It was a scandal-filled newspaper that was well before its time in terms of having a controversial approach to politics and society. Topics discussed by Woodhull in the newspaper include everything from workers’ rights, advocacy for women’s suffrage and the right to vote, and progressive social policies that are still important today.
Victoria Woodhull’s presidential run
In 1872, Woodhull ran for US president on the Equal Rights Party ticket and became the first woman to mount a successful campaign to run in the election. Despite the negative response she received, Woodhull appeared before Congress in May of that year and declared that women had the right to vote, gaining national attention during her speech.
Woodhull’s Imprisonment
Unfortunately, one of her political detractors would eventually bring about her imprisonment under the Comstock Act for obscenity for an article about adultery in the Woodhull & Claflin Weekly. This resulted in her spending nine days in jail before being released on a bond.
Victoria Woodhull’s Death and Legacy
Victoria Woodhull died in England in 1927 and is remembered fondly as a prominent woman of her time and one of the founding members of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. Her contribution to the progressive social movements of the 19th century is well-documented, and she is an important figure in the American political landscape to this day.
Victoria Woodhull is a major historical figure whose influence and importance should be acknowledged and celebrated. From her humble beginnings as a clairvoyant and snake-oil salesman to the first woman to run for US President, she has left a lasting impression on American history. As an advocate for progressive social policies and the right to vote for women, she stands as a testament to the power of female leadership and the power of the people to effect positive change.
