Suffragist Susan B. Anthony was never able to vote, so people are leaving 'I voted' stickers on her grave

But gesture provokes distaste from many who say Ms Anthony was only a feminist for white women

May Bulman
Tuesday 08 November 2016 21:20 GMT
Comments
Susan B. Anthony's grave in the early hours of polling day, before hundreds more voters arrived to pay tribute
Susan B. Anthony's grave in the early hours of polling day, before hundreds more voters arrived to pay tribute

Hundreds of Americans have flocked to the New York cemetery where suffragist Susan B. Anthony was buried to place “I voted” stickers on her gravestone as a tribute to her fight for female suffrage.

A long queue formed at Mount Hope Cemetery during the early hours of polling day as people arrived to pay respects to Ms Anthony, feminist activist during the 1930s, ahead of the presidential result that could see Hillary Clinton elected as America's first female president.

Tributes expanded onto social media as people celebrated Ms Anthony for being one of the figures who fought for women’s rights. One woman wrote: “I voted today. Thank you, Susan B. Anthony and the rest of the hard fought women that made it possible for I, a WOMAN, to vote.”

But the gesture provoked distaste from others, who asserted Ms Anthony was only a feminist for white women, urging that “black women weren't included” in her fight for the female vote.

One wrote: “I dislike history revisionists. Stop referring to Susan B. Anthony as some advocate for women's rights. When Black women weren't included.”

Another said: “Susan B. Anthony is what a lot of liberals are today: they want to see people of color do well but never better than them.”

As the suffragette movement progressed in the US during the 1930s, Ms Anthony is reported to have made clear her disregard for black rights.

In one instance Ms Anthony is quoted to have said: “I will cut off this right arm of mine before I will ever work or demand the ballot for the Negro and not the woman.”

Mount Hope Cemetery has reportedly extended its visiting hours to 9pm to allow for more Election Day visitors.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in