Susan B. Anthony Day

Susan B. Anthony Day is observed every year on February 15, the birthday of the American women’s rights advocate. It is a chance to learn about Anthony’s work for women’s right to vote and to reflect on the broader history of the movement for equal rights.

How Susan B. Anthony Day Started

The exact origin of Susan B. Anthony Day as a recurring observance is not well documented. It is not a federal holiday, though February 15 is recognized in some places and organizations as a day to remember Anthony and her contributions. The date is also a natural occasion to explore the people and campaigns that shaped the fight for women’s suffrage.

Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Massachusetts. She became a prominent organizer and speaker for abolition and women’s rights. Alongside fellow reformer Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she helped build a lasting campaign for women’s right to vote. Anthony died in 1906, before the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited denying the vote on the basis of sex. The amendment was ratified in 1920.

Anthony’s Role in the Women’s Rights Movement

Anthony’s work stretched beyond one cause. She took part in the abolitionist movement, which sought to end slavery, and later devoted much of her life to securing greater rights for women. She traveled to give speeches, helped organize meetings, and worked to bring attention to laws and customs that limited women’s opportunities.

Her partnership with Stanton was an important part of the suffrage campaign. Stanton often focused on writing and developing arguments, while Anthony was known for organizing and speaking across the country. Their collaboration helped keep the cause in public view through decades of setbacks and debate.

Anthony is also remembered for voting in the 1872 presidential election in Rochester, New York, when women were not legally entitled to vote there. She was arrested and found guilty of voting unlawfully. The episode became a well-known moment in the history of the suffrage movement and a reminder of the risks activists faced.

The story of women’s voting rights includes many people and communities, not just one famous leader. Women of color and other advocates also organized, spoke, and campaigned for political rights, often confronting barriers that continued even after the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Remembering Anthony can be a starting point for learning about this wider history.

Ways to Observe Susan B. Anthony Day

You can mark the day with a small activity at home, in a classroom, or with your community:

• Read a biography or primary source. Choose a child-friendly biography, a historical letter, or an account of the early women’s rights movement. Talk about what changed and what challenges remained.
• Visit a historic site or museum. If a local museum, library, or heritage organization has an exhibit about women’s history, explore it together. You can also look for virtual collections if a visit is not practical.
• Make a timeline. Add key moments in the women’s suffrage movement, including Anthony’s lifetime and the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Include other activists and events you learn about.
• Discuss civic participation. For older children and adults, talk about why voting access matters and how people can take part in community life today.
• Share what you learn. Create a short presentation, drawing, or book list about Anthony and other advocates for equal rights, then share it with family, classmates, or a community group.

Last updated October 21, 2026.

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