Hillary Clinton made political history earlier this year when she became the first woman in the United States to be the presumptive nominee of a major political party for the office of president.
As a result, many across the nation believe that this historical “first” is reason enough to cast a vote her way.
However, according to Sally Costik, curator of the Bradford Landmark Society, history reveals that Clinton is only one in a long list of women who’ve sought the title of President of the United States.
“In one short week, all of us (women) will have the chance to vote for the next President and Vice President of the U.S. — however, women haven’t always had the right to vote. In fact, the first woman to vote in Bradford was Margaret Mundy, who was 83 years old,” said Costik, who gave a historical presentation on “Women in Politics” at the Women’s Literary Club meeting on Friday at the Bradford Public Library.
The room was full of the club’s 48 members, all of which are active women in the community. According to club president Karen Jackson, various programs such as this are held weekly at the Bradford Public Library. This one, however, held a significant relevance.
“Though it’s more of a historical presentation of the various women who’ve been in politics throughout the years in America, it’s relevant to what’s being talked about in politics today,” stated Jackson. “Sally is a very educated, passionate woman and we’re blessed to have her.”
Costik opened her presentation with a quote from a newspaper article dated back to November 1890, in which the nation’s political, economic and social status was thought to be “in a great upheaval” — similar to the nation’s current concerns toward the U.S., Costik noted.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” she said, drawing agreement from the club members in the crowd. “We see the events going on around us, all of the tensions and the turmoil, and we think that things are worse than they’ve ever been. But history reminds us that we’ve come a long, long way.”
Only two women have made it onto a major political party ticket, both as vice-presidential candidates — Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008.
While many believe that Clinton is the first female to run for President of the U.S., Costik explained that, according to the Smithsonian Institute, over 200 women have (obscurely) run for the office of President; out of those, 44 were legitimate contenders.
“If we’re talking about ‘firsts,’ it doesn’t begin with Hillary Clinton,” Costik said. “The first woman ever to run for President was Virginia Woodhull, 34, who ran in 1872 against Ulysses S. Grant.”
Woodhull stood little chance, Costik continued, for several reasons. She was “unconventional,” having lived as a clairvoyant and was the daughter of illiterate parents. Woodhull, herself, had only three years of education.
She also had an uphill battle, not only because she was the first woman to declare her candidacy for the highest office in the land, but due to the fact that Woodhull ran against Grant, a man who many considered to be a “hero” after the Civil War, Costik explained.
“Woodhull was an interesting character, and even though she never really had a chance at winning the race, her platform — based on women’s suffrage, 8-hour work days for the middle to lower class, welfare for the poor and raising the hemlines of women’s skirts — made an impact on history that continued long after she died at the age of 89,” she said.
After Woodhull, the first woman who was unanimously credited by historical scholars to have a valid candidacy for President of the U.S. was Belva Ann Lockwood, 44, in 1884, Costik continued. Unlike the uneducated but spirited Woodhull, Lockwood was educated, with a law degree, political experience and public affluence that “got people’s attention,” according to Costik.
“Lockwood was backed by the Equal Rights movement, Susan B. Anthony and the suffragettes, though almost all of the day’s newspapers refused to give her positive press,” Costik said. “Women still didn’t have the right to vote, and many women believed women shouldn’t vote. But that didn’t stop Lockwood. She believed, ‘I cannot vote, but I can be voted for’.”
In October 1888, one month before the election, Lockwood spoke at the Bradford Methodist Church. She lost the race, gaining only 6,000 votes.
“Interestingly, particularly with the ‘rigged election’ rhetoric we’re discussing today, Lockwood petitioned Congress to have her votes doubled due to voter fraud,” Costik noted. “And cases were confirmed where Lockwood’s votes had in fact been ripped up and thrown out in droves.”
Costik named other historic women, such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Gracie Allen, some of whom ran for President, seeking to expand women’s rights, in an uphill battle that ultimately ended in loss after loss. It wasn’t until 1919, after World War I, that an amendment was proposed for women to have the right to vote, and was ratified in 1920.
However, with each political milestone, Costik added, progressive strides have led to where we, as a country, are now.
“There’s a lot of argument in today’s election; a lot of division, discourse and unconventionality,” Costik concluded. “However, it’s so important for each of us (women) as well as men, to voice our opinions and be part of the decision that, like many other decisions that are behind us, have had an impact on the U.S. We’ve come a long way, as women, as people. And, as Gracie Allen once said, ‘From resident to President is only one vote’.”
Costik drew heavy applause and abundant support from the members of the Women’s Literary Club as she concluded her presentation.
“What a wonderful walk through time,” Jackson commented.
