Research Paper On Clarina Nichols

Clarina Nichols Clarina Irene Howard Nichols was part of the women's suffrage movement and was deeply involved in abolition, she always fought for equal rights among all races and all genders. Her beliefs were that all people should be treated the same and have equal rights. Nichols was a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend. She inspired so many people to be a part of the women’s suffrage movement and to be anti-slavery. Earlier in her life, Nichols had four kids, traveled around America, and went through divorce. Later on, she then joined politics, defended women’s rights, and spoke out against slavery. Although women had house jobs, such as cleaning and cooking, Nichols believed women should be able to work with the men and do the jobs

Anthony and Lucretia Mott to stand up against slavery, but unlike Anthony and Mott, Nichols moved to a state that she thought would offer more rights to women and enslaved people, Kansas. Nichols would shelter fugitive black slaves searching for freedom on the Underground Railroad in a town called Quindaro. According to Kristen Oertel, “Nichols and her family became embroiled in conflicts with pro-slavery forces, she publicized them with her pen and her voice” (2020). Nichols’ son was shot in the shoulder by pro-slavery forces because he believed that Kansas should be a free state. Nichols debated with pro-slavery people and made speeches to get more people on her side to try and end slavery, and she traveled east to campaign for Republican presidential candidate, John C. Fremont. Although there were many people against Nichols, she had helped many others with her speeches. Clarina Nichols had a strong influence on the lives of people in the Kansas Territory. Nichols thought that Kansas still had a chance of becoming a free state, even after the Missourians crossed the border to vote (Oertel 2020). Even after the Topeka Constitution and the Leavenworth Constitution were not accepted by Congress, and the Lecompton Constitution was outvoted, but still not accepted, Nichols still had hope for

Clarina’s experiences with her first husband were the reason she was involved in the women’s suffrage movement. According to the Kansas Historical Society, Nichols life outside of politics could be very hectic at times (2019). Nichols was born on January 25, 1810 in West Townshend, Vermont and died January 11, 1885 in California. As a child, she received an above average education for her time and married at age twenty. Although life was difficult at times, Clarina Nichols had many great accomplishments throughout her life. Clarina Nichols was part of the women’s suffrage movement, abolition, and politics. She traveled giving speeches about women’s rights and having a free state. Her ideas were sent to Congress and she always expressed what she was feeling. Nichols thought women should be able to have custody of their children in cases of divorce, own property, have a good education, and vote. Although some people did not like the idea of a woman in politics or her ideas, she never stopped fighting for what she believed in. She took good care of her kids while involved in politics. Clarina Nichols made a huge impact on people’s rights