Initially, public perception of Susan B. Anthony was marked by skepticism and opposition from various segments of society. Many people, including women, viewed her ideas as subversive and a threat to traditional gender roles and societal norms. She faced criticism, ridicule, and even hostility from some quarters. Her involvement in the women's suffrage movement, which sought to secure voting rights for women, met with significant resistance and opposition.
One of the challenges that Anthony encountered was public backlash and negative commentary. Newspapers often published critical and derogatory articles, caricatures, and satire that presented her as a mannish, unfeminine figure. Some opponents dismissed her as an eccentric and extreme advocate, and many believed that women should not have the same rights and opportunities as men.
Despite the initial negative public opinion, Susan B. Anthony's dedication and persistence helped gradually shift societal attitudes towards women's suffrage. Over time, her efforts gained momentum, and many influential figures, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass, joined the movement. As awareness grew and suffrage gained traction as a significant social reform, public perception of Anthony began to change.
With the steady progress of the women's suffrage movement and the subsequent ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote, Anthony's legacy and contributions to gender equality became more widely recognized. Today, she is celebrated as a trailblazer, a symbol of bravery and determination, and a pioneer of women's rights in the United States.