Before Hillary, came Victoria.
"Why is a woman to be treated differently? Woman suffrage will succeed, despite this miserable guerilla opposition." — Victoria Woodhull
Victoria Woodhull is best known for being the first woman to ever run for president of The United States. Though this is impressive, it's not the only thing she accomplished in her life.
We thought Hillary had it rough, Woodhull was running for election before women were even legally allowed to cast votes in the American elections, which made her platform even more difficult. Almost 50 years before women won the right to vote, Woodhull ran for president.
"I now announce myself as candidate for the Presidency. I anticipate criticism; but however unfavorable I trust that my sincerity will not be called into question."
-Victoria Woodhull
Nominated by the Equal Rights Party, Woodhull's campaign focused on freedom of the press and fair trade as well as women's rights.
Woodhull faced criticism due to her gender, beliefs, and so-called radical thoughts for her time.
"I come before you to declare that my sex are entitled to the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." — Victoria Woodhull
She was incredibly influenced by French philosopher, Charles Fourier, who believed in freedom of passions and love.
Her "free love" stance earned her even more criticism in the public sphere but solidified her position as a feminist.
Woodhull often found herself at the forefront of political confrontation and preferred it that way. She not only enjoyed being in that position but believed it was integral to an evolution of thought.
"Agitation of thought is the beginning of wisdom. Hence I like it." — Victoria Woodhull
She stood up and ran for the presidency of the United States as well as against the very things America was at the time.
She believed and propagated that the constitution was unfair to those who were not white men and pointed out that the laws laid down clearly negated the strong sentiments of The Declaration of Independence.
Woodhull was a fierce, feminist, fighter for freedom and refused to be frightened of things she did not understand because she knew knowledge can be obtained and the only thing to be feared was ignorance of suffering.
"It is the great question, and we can’t shirk it if we would, and I wouldn’t if I could, but our friends of the press cry Free Love. But it doesn’t frighten me one bit, for I have never known any other love than free love" — Victoria Woodhull
