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 Amelia Bloomer (1818-1894)

Amelia Bloomer was a reformer for women’s rights. Bloomer was guided by other women’s rights reformers such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton especially due to their voice in the Seneca Falls Conference in 1848 which was early in Bloomer’s career. She fought for her issues primarily through publications of //The Lily// and advocating the more conventional dress of //Bloomers// that many criticized as being unfeminine.

__Criticisms/ Goals __ Bloomer believed that during this time period, American society discriminated against women, not only in fashion but also in education, suffrage (the right of women to vote) and temperance (against the use of alcoholic beverages). She, along with many others, also felt that men had way too much of an upper hand not only in households, but in society as a whole. Bloomer disproved of how men had direct tyranny over women during this time period. She criticized that many American laws were unfair to women and wanted to get rid of many stereotypes against them, especially in dress. Her ultimate goal was to change government, essentially the Constitution, to have equality of suffrage for men and women.

__Methods of Improving American Life __ Starting in 1849, Bloomer began writing bi-weekly issues of her newspaper called //The Lily//. In her publication, she wrote about varying topics of concern within the women’s rights’ world, beginning mainly with temperance and eventually expanding to other such topics as law reform and higher education for women. She clearly advertised a new trend called Bloomers. Although they were not created by Bloomer herself, she heavily endorsed them, and went so far as to defend her pants in //The Lily//. Many people of the time felt that these pants per say were unbecoming of a women and inappropriate, but she continued to wear them with pride. Even after publication of //The Lily// ceased, Bloomer continued to write various essays and articles expressing her opinions on women’s rights. Although long after the Seneca Falls Conference, Bloomer single-handedly petitioned to Congress in 1878 to redress her grievances. She was a big part of the women’s rights reformation, and clearly had a standing impact on generations to come.

__Successes __ Amelia Bloomer was very successful in promoting the reform. Although many people eventually stopped wearing Bloomers, they made a clear and concise point. Many people continued to read //The Lily//, as it continued to bring in new topics. Also, her ultimate goal was successful because in 1920 the ratification to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution brought what she was hoping for, which was a public policy of equality of suffrage for women and men.

__Practical Goals and Methods __ Bloomers were a good symbol of the cause that was truly at hand, therefore they were practical in the sense of what they stood for, but actually wearing the pants were not necessarily practical. Publications of //The Lily// from 1849-1853 were extremely practical. Almost everyone read newspapers during this time and it was a successful way to get her ideas and points across to the people and inspire them. Bloomer took a very practical approach to helping the reform of women’s rights and expressed it through her writings and her actions. __ Help From the Federal Government __ The Federal Government could help support Amelia Bloomer and her cause by supporting Bloomers nationwide and sponsoring advertisements. They could endorse //The Lily// and have writers add their views on the matters. In addition, it could pass a law or ratify an amendment giving rights to women, as well as enforcing them. Lastly they could start treating women with a bit more respect and dignity and encourage others to do so as well. __ Resources __ Two people that had similar interests as Amelia Bloomer were Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Bloomer first encountered these two women at the Seneca Falls Convention. She did not actively participate in the convention; however, she was able to witness this historic event first hand. Although they did not agree nor befriend each other at first, Bloomer eventually saw that they did agree on many issues and later became allies. She became especially close with Stanton, as Bloomer had her write many tidbits for inclusion in //The Lily//. All three women were influential leaders in the reformation of women’s rights and were coercive in their actions. Works Cited <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Kerley, Jessica P. "Amelia Bloomer." //Kenyon//. Kenyon university, May 2001. Web. 6 Oct. 2009. <http://www2.kenyon.edu/Khistory/frontier/ameliabloomer.htm>. "Petition of Amelia Bloomer Regarding Suffrage in the West." //National Archives and Records Administration//. Web. 06 Oct. 2009. <http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/bloomer/>. "Women's Rights National Historical Park - Amelia Bloomer (U.S. National Park Service)." //U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America//. Web. 06 Oct. 2009. <http://www.nps.gov/wori/historyculture/amelia-bloomer.htm>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">