Life and writings of Amelia BloomerBloomer, D. C. (Dexter C.)
History
Life and writings of Amelia Bloomer
Bloomer, D. C. (Dexter C.)
Bloomer, Amelia Jenks, 1818-1894; Women's rights -- United States
“When a child of fifteen years, my feelings were deeply stirred
by learning that an old lady, a dear friend of mine, was to be
turned from her home and the bulk of her property taken from her.
Her husband died suddenly, leaving no will. The law would allow
her but a life interest in one-third of the estate, which had
been accumulated by the joint earnings and savings of herself and
husband through many years. They had no children and the nearest
relative of the husband was a second or third cousin, and to him
the law gave two-thirds of her property, though he had never
contributed a dollar towards its accumulation, and was to them a
stranger. Later, other similar cases coming to my knowledge made me
familiar with the cruelty of the law towards women; and when the
Woman’s Rights Convention put forth its declaration of sentiments,
I was ready to join with that party in demanding for women such
change in the laws as would give her a right to her earnings, and
her children a right to wider fields of employment and a better
education, and also a right to protect her interests at the
ballot-box.”
BECOMES ASSISTANT POSTMASTER.
“In the spring of 1849, my husband was appointed postmaster at Seneca
Falls, N. Y. He proposed that I should act as his deputy. I accepted
the position, as I had determined to give a practical demonstration
of woman’s right to fill any place for which she had capacity. I
was sworn in as his deputy, and filled the position for four years,
during the administration of Taylor and Fillmore. It was a novel step
for me to take in those days, and no doubt many thought I was out of
woman’s sphere; but the venture was very successful and proved to me
conclusively that woman might, even then, engage in any respectable
business and deal with all sorts of men, and yet be treated with the
utmost respect and consideration.”
THE _LILY_ ON HER HANDS.
During the first year of its existence, the _Lily_ bore at its head
the words “published by a committee of ladies”; but the truth was
that no person, save Mrs. Bloomer herself, had any responsible share
in its management or control. Therefore, at the beginning of the new
year 1850 that fiction was dropped, and her name alone appeared as
publisher and editor, and at its head stood the legend “devoted to
the interests of woman.” Says Mrs. Bloomer:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account