Born: February 14, 1847 (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England)
Died: July 2, 1919
Biography:
Anna Howard Shaw (February 14, 1847 – July 2, 1919) was a prominent leader of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. She played a key role in advocating for women’s right to vote and was also a physician and one of the first ordained female Methodist ministers in the country.
Shaw was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England in 1847. When she was four years old, her family emigrated to the United States and settled in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Life was not easy for the Shaw family, as her father took up a claim of land in northern Michigan, leaving her mother and five young children to live there alone. They arrived to find a desolate log cabin in the wilderness, far from any civilization.
During this challenging period, Shaw became very active in helping her family rebuild their home and supporting her mother in her time of shock and despair. She took on physically demanding tasks such as digging a well and chopping wood. Shaw blamed her father for the family’s hardships, as he was dedicating his time to social causes in Lawrence while they struggled in Michigan. Despite their difficult circumstances, Shaw’s determination and resilience shone through.
At the age of fifteen, Shaw became a school teacher to help support her family after her older brothers and father joined the Civil War effort. However, the family faced financial difficulties, with the gap between income and expenses widening each month. Shaw’s desire to pursue higher education and follow her calling to preach became even stronger in the face of these challenges.
After the Civil War, Shaw left her teaching job and moved in with her married sister in Big Rapids, Michigan. She was determined to attend college and fulfill what she believed to be God’s will for her life. Despite her family’s disapproval, Shaw’s resolve only grew stronger.
Shaw’s efforts to pursue her education paid off when she was accepted into Albion College in Michigan. She studied with dedication and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1873. Following her graduation, Shaw faced many obstacles as a woman in pursuit of a career in medicine. She was initially rejected by several medical schools but eventually found a place at the Boston University School of Medicine. In 1886, she graduated as a doctor of medicine, becoming one of a few pioneering women physicians at the time.
Alongside her medical career, Shaw became actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement. She joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and quickly rose through the ranks. Shaw’s compelling speeches and persuasive arguments earned her recognition as one of the movement’s leading orators. She traveled extensively, delivering speeches across the country and inspiring women to fight for their right to vote.
Shaw’s leadership was pivotal in the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. Despite facing opposition and setbacks, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of equality for women. Shaw’s dedication and resilience were instrumental in pushing the suffrage movement forward and empowering generations of women.
In addition to her work in the suffrage movement, Shaw also became one of the first ordained female Methodist ministers in the United States. She preached at various churches and utilized her platform to advocate for social justice and equality.
Awards:
– Shaw received the Townsend Harris Medal from the City College of New York in 1904 in recognition of her contributions to women’s rights.
– In 1915, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Illinois for her leadership in advancing women’s suffrage.
– Shaw was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2000, honoring her significant contributions to women’s rights.
Anna Howard Shaw’s unwavering commitment to women’s suffrage, her pioneering work in the medical field, and her dedication to preaching and social justice make her an influential figure in American history. Her accomplishments continue to inspire and empower women to this day.