Chapter Book 12

Title: You want women to vote, Lizzie Staton?
Author: Jean Fritz
Illustrated: DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan
Genre: History
Sub Genre: Biography
Readability Score: 6.6
Primary characters: Lizzie (Elizabeth Staton) Susan B Anothney
Secondary Characters: Henry Staton, Judge Cady
Awards: none
Theme: Never give up- no matter what
ISBN: 0-399-22786-5
Publish date: 1995
Publishing Company: G.P Putnam's Son
Summary: This book tells the life/story of Elizabeth Staton. From an early age Lizzie was very strong willed and thought slavery should be abolished and women should be given more rights. Her father was a lawyer/judge and Lizzie would freqently read over the laws- although she did not agree with most of them. Her father would always say he wished she was a boy- becuase she would make him so proud. Unforuntly she was a girl- and frequently shamed him by her radical talks of women rights to vote and other outlandish ideas. Lizzy went to Emma Willard Femaile Seminary school but really wanted to attend Union College- but was told she could not because she was a female and this was an all boy school- as were most. Lizzy surrounded herself with friends of like minds- against slavery, abolitionists. She met her husband this way- Henry. Henry ended up being more closed minded than Lizzie original thought- and any talk of women voting left Henry infruated and usually absent from the home. HOwever this did not keep them from having 7 children of their own. Most of which was the reason why it took Lizzie till around the age of 50 to truely get out as much as she wanted to, to give speeches of womens rights. During these times slavery was abolished but still no talk of womens rights. "Citizens" could vote- did not include women?! A good friend of Lizzys- Susan B Anothney- tested this law and voted- but ended up arrested and her vote unaccounted for. These two women gave an uproar everywhere they went and even though Lizzie died 18 years too soon- she was the start of the 19th admendment which gave women the right to vote. Susan B Anothney is usually credited for most of women rights movement- but it was actually Elizabeth (Lizzie) who encouraged her and wrote most of the speechs that were given in those times.
How would use: History lesson all day! This is a great way to compare the past to today. In the book it says that women actually called their own husband Mr._____ . Can you imagine that today? How different things have changed. I would also use this as a lesson of struggle and determination- even some of Lizzies own friends began to think she is too radical with the idea of women voting... but she didnt give up or give in- and we (women) have her to thank for so much.