Female Suffrage: A Letter to the Christian Women of America

"Female Suffrage: A Letter to the Christian Women of America" by Susan Fenimore Cooper is a compelling essay from the 1800s that speaks out against giving women the right to vote. Cooper writes directly to Christian women, expressing her worries about how women's suffrage could hurt families and society in general. Cooper believes that historical context and religion explain why women are subordinate, and this isn't a bad thing. Furthermore, she thinks what women do at home and in their local communities is very important for keeping things stable. Instead of pushing for political power, Cooper suggests women should concentrate on being good examples and moral leaders in their families and communities. She strongly suggests that real change comes from being a good person and taking care of your family, not from voting. Cooper sees the push for women's voting rights as wrong. She calls on women to work toward making society more moral instead of fighting for the vote, pointing out that women can do more good outside politics.