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Words of Wisdom —

Susan B. Anthony: “Cautious, careful people… never can bring about a reform.”

“Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation.”
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Susan B. Anthony (1820-1908) was an American civil rights leader during the 19th century and a prominent figure in the campaign to secure women’s suffrage in the United States. A staunch abolitionist in her younger years, Anthony is known more for her role as a women’s rights activist. Together with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Anthony founded a number of organizations committed to social reform. They include theWomen’s Loyal National League, the American Equal Rights Association, a women’s rights newspaper called The Revolution, and the National Woman Suffrage Association. Anthony became the first woman to be featured on U.S. currency in 1979 when her face appeared on the dollar coin.

“Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation.”

from On the Campaign for Divorce Law Reform (1860)

(h/t Wikiquote)

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