Heading: American Women's Suffrage Association (AWSA)

The American Women's Suffrage Association (AWSA) was one of the two major women's suffrage organizations in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was established in 1869 by Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, and others, and its primary goal was to secure the right to vote for women through state-by-state legislative efforts.

Heading: Leadership of the AWSA

Lucy Stone was one of the founders of the AWSA and served as its first president. She was a prominent speaker and writer on women's rights issues and believed in a more gradual approach to achieving suffrage. Stone advocated for women's suffrage at the state level and believed that the best way to achieve national suffrage was through a constitutional amendment.

Heading: Contributions of the AWSA

The AWSA played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement. Its members worked tirelessly to secure voting rights for women and were instrumental in the passage of suffrage laws in several states. The organization also provided a platform for women to voice their opinions and advocate for their rights, both within the suffrage movement and in society at large.

Heading: Merger with the National Woman Suffrage Association

In 1890, the AWSA merged with the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The merger brought together two powerful organizations and allowed for a more unified approach to the fight for suffrage. Stone was initially hesitant about the merger, but she eventually supported it and continued to play an active role in the suffrage movement until her death in 1893.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Lucy Stone headed the American Women's Suffrage Association (AWSA). She was a prominent advocate for women's rights and played a significant role in the suffrage movement. The AWSA, under Stone's leadership, worked tirelessly to secure voting rights for women and played a crucial role in the passage of suffrage laws in several states. The organization's merger with the NWSA in 1890 was a significant moment in the suffrage movement and paved the way for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.