Both the 14th and 15th Amendments had a significant impact on Blacks and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. These Amendments gave rights to Black people; however, these rights were specifically for men only. There were many notable Black women who not only fought for themselves but for the equal rights of men also. The 14th & 15th Amendments were the foundation that allowed for the 19th Amendment to be ratified.
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on July 9th, 1868, and it granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This included former slaves along with guaranteeing all citizens “equal protection of the laws”. The Constitution specifically defines “citizen” as “male”, thus not guaranteeing protection for women. Due to this many white women did not support the ratification of the 15th Amendment. Although, white women did not support, black women were against this rejection because they were not willing to jeopardize the rights of their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons.
The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 3rd, 1870, and it granted Black men the right to vote. However, even after the 15th Amendment was ratified, in most southern states black men were not able to vote because of many grandfather clauses. One of the grandfather clauses allowed for those who had been granted the right to vote before 1867 to obtain that right, black men who were granted that right in 1870 were forced to take literacy test, own property and pay poll taxes.
Due to the 14th & 15th Amendment being specified for men, many women made it a point to raise awareness and fight for the equal rights of women. Black and white women were essentially fighting for the same cause, the right to vote. However, many white women leaders disregarded black women. For example, Alice Stokes who was a women’s rights activist decided that it was important for black and white women’s organizations to be separate. In the 20th century on March 3rd, 1913, the “Woman Suffrage Procession” took place in Washington D.C. It was decided that black women would not be able to march and if they did it would be at the back of the parade.
Ida B. Wells refused to march at the back of the parade, and she marched with her Illinois delegation. She told those requesting her to march at the back, “Either I march with y’all, or I don’t march at all.” Another prominent woman during these times was Mary Church Terrell. Terrell was one of the first women to become a college graduate. Terrell’s activism took off when her and Ida B. Wells held anti lynching campaigns. Wells and Terrell later cofounded the National Association of Colored Women, now known as the NACWC. The organization was founded to promote equality for Black women.
The 14th & 15th Amendments were the foundation that allowed for the 19th Amendment to be ratified. Many women stepped up and fought not only for themselves but for men too. Black women played a notable role in this movement by not taking no for an answer, continuously fighting for equal rights and building foundations that still have an impact on the lives of black women today.
