Susan B Anthony

Originally Aired: June 18, 1940 Cavalcade of America #192, "Susan B Anthony," a young Susan B. Anthony returns home from finishing school in 1838, expected to prepare her hope chest and wait for marriage. Instead, she shocks her father by demanding meaningful work and employment. Despite his objections that women don't work, Susan insists on taking a job in his factory, where she meets fellow women workers organizing secret meetings for women's rights. There she encounters Elizabeth Stanton, who inspires her to become a teacher instead, the one profession open to women where she can advance the cause of women's suffrage. Susan takes Stanton's advice and becomes an educator, but soon faces new battles. At the New York State Teachers Convention, when she attempts to speak on a question before the delegates, the male chairman tries to silence her, claiming she isn't versed in parliamentary procedure. Susan boldly challenges the ruling, asserting her rights as a qualified delegate while male teachers raise points of order to exclude her from debate simply because no woman has ever participated before.