Female Suffrage: a Letter to the Christian Women of America   By: Susan Fenimore Cooper (1813-1894)

In Susan Fenimore Cooper’s powerful work, "Female Suffrage: a Letter to the Christian Women of America," the author successfully showcases her unwavering advocacy for women's rights in an eloquent and persuasive manner. Cooper’s letter serves as a call to action for Christian women across America, urging them to join the suffrage movement and fight for their fundamental rights.

Taking a firm stance in support of female suffrage, Cooper skillfully employs logical arguments, combined with a deep-rooted sense of morality, to appeal to her intended audience. By addressing Christian women specifically, she strategically taps into their belief systems, drawing parallels between their faith and the fight for women's rights. Cooper employs biblical references and shares the stories of strong women throughout history who defied societal norms, skillfully bridging the gap between Christianity and feminism.

One of the notable strengths of this book is Cooper’s ability to present her arguments with clarity and coherence. Through meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, she effectively refutes common arguments against women's suffrage, making a compelling case for why women's voting rights are essential for a fair and just society. Cooper tackles misconceptions head-on, dismantling age-old biases and highlighting the intellectual and emotional capabilities of women.

Additionally, Cooper's ability to relate to her readers on an emotional level is commendable. Her writing is imbued with empathy and takes into consideration the concerns and fears that Christian women may have. Cooper addresses these concerns with compassion, understanding, and careful persuasion, encouraging her readers to envision a future where their voices and opinions hold the same weight as their male counterparts.

However, it is worth noting that "Female Suffrage" is written from the perspective of a white, privileged woman. This lens undoubtedly shapes Cooper’s viewpoint and may limit her understanding of the various challenges faced by women of different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. While she does mention the importance of unity among all women in the suffrage movement, it would have been beneficial to explore these intersecting identities more deeply.

In conclusion, "Female Suffrage: a Letter to the Christian Women of America" is an influential and thought-provoking piece that seamlessly combines Christian principles with the fight for women's rights. Cooper's impassioned rhetoric and use of logical arguments make this work both compelling and persuasive. However, the limited scope of perspective should be taken into account. Despite this, Cooper’s letter remains an essential historical document, shedding light on the crucial role Christian women played in the fight for equality and inspiring readers to continue advocating for progress and change.

First Page:

FIRST. Woman in natural physical strength is so greatly inferior to man that she is entirely in his power, quite incapable of self defense, trusting to his generosity for protection. In savage life this great superiority of physical strength makes man the absolute master, woman the abject slave. And, although every successive step in civilisation lessens the distance between the sexes, and renders the situation of woman safer and easier, still, in no state of society, however highly cultivated, has perfect equality yet existed. This difference in physical strength must, in itself, always prevent such perfect equality, since woman is compelled every day of her life to appeal to man for protection, and for support... Continue reading book >>