The Women's Suffrage Movement, an effort to secure equal rights - particularly the right to vote - for women, had existed in America since colonial days, but after the end of the Civil War and the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868, classifying U.S. citizens as "male", the idea started to gain traction.

1. Western states adopted the right to vote, before Eastern states
2. Noted activists: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton
3. Wyoming: first state to give women the right to vote
4. 1920: 19th Amendment ratified

• 1868: 14th Amendment ratified defining citizens as "male"
• 1869: National Woman Suffrage Association founded
• 1878: Woman sufferage ammendment introduced to congress
• 1890: National American Woman Suffrage Association formed
• 1910: Washington grants woman suffrage
• 1911: California grants woman suffrage
• 1912: Arizona, Oregon, & Kansas grant woman suffrage
• 1917: New York, south Dakota, & Oklahoma grant suffrage
• 1920: 19th Amendment ratified granting universal woman suffrage

In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented her Declaration of Sentiments at a Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, that's frequently cited as inspiring a significant, organized pushed for female voting rights.

Along with fellow activist Susan B. Anthony, Stanton helped lead womans rights groups in lobbying womens suffrage. While they did not ultimately live to see the fruits of their labor, their effors led to the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote in 1920.

"Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

"Section 2: Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

• 1848: First women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Declaration of Sentiments signed by 68 women and 32 men

• 1869: Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association; Lucy Stone forms the American Woman Suffrage Association

• December 1869: Wyoming Territory passes first women's suffrage law

• 1872: Victoria Woodhull runs for president

• 1890: The National Woman Suffrage Association and American Woman Suffrage Association merge to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association

• 1919: Federal woman suffrage amendment passes House and Senate, is sent to states for ratification

• August 26, 1920: The 19th Amendment is signed into law