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#WingTappers on This Day in History: 

July 16, 1848

A handful of wingtapping women meet to draft the Declaration of Sentiments in preparation for the first National Women's Convention

Remembering

Legacy Makers & WingTappers

on this Day in History: July 16, 1848

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;

indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

If we were living in 1848, this day of July 16 would be a Sunday night, instead of a Saturday night. It was the night when a small handful of passionate and persistent women convened at 14 East Williams Street in Waterloo, New York, the house of Tom and MaryAnn M'Clintock, along with their five children. According to this article, courtesy of the National Park Service, the family owned and operated a drugstore, a school, and offered their house for slavery fugitives, as part of the Underground Railroad.

"Come, come, my conservative friend, wipe the dew off your spectacles, and see that the world is moving."

- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

It was on this night, in 1848, one hundred and sixty eight years ago, that MaryAnn M'Clintock hosted Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Hunt and Jane Wright, at her house, to write the Declaration of Sentiments that were to be presented at the first National Women's Convention, to be help three days later, at Wesleyan Church, in Seneca Falls.

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"We were but a handful..." reflects Elizabeth Cady Stanton, of the group of women and men, expected to show. This proves Margaret Mead's sentiments when she said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Three days later, these fearless and passionate #wingtappers would lay the foundation for an event that is arguably one of the most important events in women's history at the first National Women's Convention, July 19-20, in Seneca Falls. NY.

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Did you Know???

There was heated debate this night on whether or not include women's Suffrage rights into this Declaration of Sentiments? Lucretia Mott thought it was asking too much and that it may cause the too much commotion and chaos?

Elizabeth Cady Stanton's husband agreed and refused to be part of the Convention, since it may have impacted his upcoming run for public office.
But Elizabeth Cady Stanton stood her ground, was able to convince them to keep intact, and hence moved forward with what is considered the most rebellious act in the history of Womanity".

It took another 72 years for the 19th Amendment to get signed into law, and only one of the original attendees, Charlotte Woodard Pierce, survived to see it happen, although at 92, was too ill and never got the actual chance to vote.

How well do you know your Women in History and their fight for Equality? Take this 5 point Suffrage 101 Quiz Here and Find Out!