Matilda Joslyn Gage by Nancy J. Farrier

 

Matilda Joslyn Gage
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Matilda Joslyn, born in 1826 in Cicero, New York, learned to care for others from an early age. Her father, a doctor, was a liberal thinker, and an abolitionist. He made their home into an underground railroad station, and Matilda was involved from an early age in helping escaped slaves get to safety.

 

Matilda received her early education at home from her parents. Her father encouraged her to study medicine and taught her what he could. Matilda loved education and went to Clinton Liberal Institute but was refused admission to study as a doctor because she was a woman.

 

Engraving of 
Matilda Joslyn Gage
Wikimedia Commons

In 1845, Matilda married Henry H. Gage, a merchant. They moved to Fayetteville,New York. After the Fugitive Slave Law passed in 1850, Matilda was threatened with prison for helping escaped slaves, something the new law stated was a criminal act.

 

Matilda turned her focus to the women’s rights movement, and spoke at the National women’s Rights Convention in Syracuse in 1852. She was well-educated and a gifted writer, often sending articles to newspapers and getting them printed. She was able to put into words the frustrations of women and her writing appealed to many.

 

Susan B. Anthony
By artist J. E. Baker
Wikimedia Commons

By 1870, Matilda had moved to the forefront of the women’s movement, fighting for the right of women to vote. She worked closely with activists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She supported Anthony, who had been put on trial for voting in the 1872 presidential election. The three women worked together to compile three volumes of what would become the six-volume set, History of Woman Suffrage. By this time, Matilda had her own newspaper, besides writing for several other periodicals.

 

Elizabeth Cady Stanton
By Henry Bryan Hall, Jr.
Wikimedia Commons

Matilda was known for her support of female inventors. She wrote a pamphlet, Woman as an Inventor. She brought to light many women whose inventions were stolen by or credited to men. One of those was Catherine Greene. Matilda insisted Greene invented the cotton gin, while Eli Whitney got the credit.

 

Most people believed that women possessed “no inventive or mechanical genius,” but Matilda answered that in 1883 with these words, which were lauded by the New York Times: “In not a single State of the Union is a married woman held to possess a right to her earnings within the family; and in not one-half of them has she a right to their control in business entered upon outside of the household. Should such a woman be successful in obtaining a patent, what then! Would she be free to do as she pleased with it? Not at all. She would hold no right, title, or power over this work of her own brain.” (Matilda Joslyn Gage, 1883)

 

 

She was also an advocate in many other areas, such as Native American rights. She spoke out about the brutal treatment of many Native Americans. She was fascinated with the Iroquois matriarchal society. She spent a lot of time learning from them and being among the tribes. They name her Karonienhawi (she who holds the sky) and initiated her into the Wolf Clan, admitting her to the Iroquois Council of Matrons. 

Matilda's signature
Example of her excellent handwriting

 

Matilda Gage was a hard worker and fought all her life for what she believed and to help those less fortunate. She did her best to pass that on to her children, but her youngest daughter, Maud, was the one who followed in her footsteps the most. (We’ll take a look at Maud and her husband next month.) 

 

In 1898, Matilda died of a stroke at her home. In 1993, Margaret Rossiter, a scientific historian, adopted the phrase Matilda Effect, a reference to Matilda Joslyn Gage. The Matilda Effect applies to women scientists who receive little to no credit for their work. Upon close examination, theses female scientists contributions were much greater than originally thought. 

Plaque outside Fayetteville home
By Dirtdiver, Wikimedia Commons

Matilda left a legacy, including being inducted into the National Women’s Hall of fame in 1995. There is also a plaque outside her home in Fayetteville, New York. Her former home also houses the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation and is a museum, open to the public.

 

Have you ever heard of Matilda Joslyn Gage? Do you know who her famous son-in-law is? If not, stay tuned for next month when I’ll take an in-depth look at that part of her family. Remember, I love to hear from you. It’s always fun to share bits of history with you.

Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning, best-selling author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats and dog, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.