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California Equal Suffrage Association

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The California Equal Suffrage Association was a political organization in the state of California with the intended goal of passing women's suffrage.

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51-508: In 1870 the California State Woman Suffrage Society or California Woman Suffrage Association was founded by Laura de Force Gordon . The California Woman Suffrage Association changed its name from California Woman Suffrage Association to California Equal Suffrage Association in 1896 to appeal to male sympathisers. The California Equal Suffrage Association (CESA) was headquartered in northern California and

102-489: A time capsule buried in San Francisco's Washington Square park. Gordon wrote inside the flyleaf: If this little book should see the light after its 100 years of entombment, I would like its readers to know that the author was a lover of her own sex and devoted the best years of her life in striving for the political equality and social and moral elevation of women. Gordon's inscription was read aloud in public after

153-572: A delegate, during the convention, in February 1879, Gordon and Foltz successfully pushed for the inclusion of Article XX, Section 18, of the Constitution. This clause prohibited state law from barring women from entering any "lawful business, avocation, or profession". At around the same time, in January 1879, Gordon and Foltz were briefly admitted to the recently opened Hastings College of

204-585: A destructive force that would lead to a culture of mediocrity, where people were discouraged from striving for excellence. The Atlas movement defines equitism as the idea that all groups should have equal rights and benefits. The term has been used as the claimed philosophical basis of Telosa , a proposed utopia to be built in the United States by Marc Lore . Social equity is about equality of outcomes for each groups, while egalitarianism generally advocates for equality of opportunity, recognizing that

255-434: A group, which could be mitigated by following individuals outside their group, namely autonomists or individualists. Alexander Berkman suggests that "equality does not mean an equal amount but equal opportunity. ... Do not make the mistake of identifying equality in liberty with the forced equality of the convict camp. True anarchist equality implies freedom, not quantity. It does not mean that everyone must eat, drink, or wear

306-407: A negative attitude towards rules and principles; and a positive attitude towards group decision-making . The theory distinguishes between hierarchists , who are positive towards both rules and groups; and egalitarians, who are positive towards groups, but negative towards rules. This is by definition a form of anarchist equality as referred to by Berkman. Thus, the fabric of an egalitarian society

357-637: A reference to men in the English Bill of Rights regarding men on trial for treason; and a rule of proportional Congressional representation in the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution . As the rest of the Constitution, in its operative language the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution uses the term person, stating that "nor shall any State deprives any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction

408-574: A speech in Boston at age 18. During one such event, she met a Scottish physician named Charles H. Gordon, and married him in 1862. They moved west gradually, first to New Orleans (where he was posted during the Civil War ), then to Nevada , and finally settling in California in 1870. Before 1878, she divorced her husband on grounds of adultery. She later referred to herself frequently as

459-546: A widow, rather than a divorcée, since widowhood was "a more acceptable explanation ... for ... lack of male protection". In 1873, Gordon became an editor and reporter for the Stockton Narrow Gauge . In 1874, she bought the Stockton Weekly Leader and converted into a daily newspaper, becoming the first female publisher of a paper in the United States. Between 1876 and 1878, she published

510-425: Is a school of thought within political philosophy that builds on the concept of social equality , prioritizing it for all people. Egalitarian doctrines are generally characterized by the idea that all humans are equal in fundamental worth or moral status. As such, all people should be accorded equal rights and treatment under the law . Egalitarian doctrines have supported many modern social movements, including

561-425: Is held together by cooperation and implicit peer pressure rather than by explicit rules and punishment. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels believed that an international proletarian revolution would bring about a socialist society which would then eventually give way to a communist stage of social development which would be a classless, stateless, moneyless, humane society erected on common ownership of

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612-565: Is informed by egalitarian philosophy, being a gender-focused philosophy of equality. Feminism is distinguished from egalitarianism by also existing as a political and social movement. At a cultural level, egalitarian theories have developed in sophistication and acceptance during the past two hundred years. Among the notable broadly egalitarian philosophies are socialism , communism , social anarchism , libertarian socialism , left-libertarianism , and progressivism , some of which propound economic egalitarianism . Anti-egalitarianism or elitism

663-565: Is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ) in a pamphlet opposing racial segregation in the United States . He wrote, "Racial segregation is a blatant denial of the unity which we all have in Christ." He also alluded to that verse at the end of his 1963 " I Have a Dream " speech. The verse is cited to support an egalitarian interpretation of Christianity. According to Jakobus M. Vorster,

714-513: Is opposition to egalitarianism. An early example of equality is what might be described as outcome economic egalitarianism is the Chinese philosophy of agriculturalism which held that the economic policies of a country need to be based upon egalitarian self-sufficiency. In socialism , social ownership of means of production is sometimes considered to be a form of economic egalitarianism because in an economy characterized by social ownership

765-528: Is that liberalism provides democratic societies with the means to carry out civic reform by providing a framework for developing public policy and providing the correct conditions for individuals to achieve civil rights. There are two major types of equality: The English Bill of Rights of 1689 and the United States Constitution use only the term person in operative language involving fundamental rights and responsibilities, except for

816-469: The Enlightenment , feminism , civil rights , and international human rights . One key aspect of egalitarianism is its emphasis on equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. This means ensuring that everyone has access to the same resources, education, and opportunities to succeed in life. By promoting equal opportunities, egalitarianism aims to level

867-661: The Oakland Daily Democrat . During that period, she also served as a correspondent for the Sacramento Bee and other papers, with a press desk on the floor of the state Assembly . She also served as an organizer of the Pacific Coast Press Association. In the late 1860s, Gordon's speaking career turned from Spiritualism to women's rights, perhaps influenced by Spiritualism's emphasis on egalitarianism and equality between

918-415: The means of production and the principle of " From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs ". Marxism rejected egalitarianism in the sense of greater equality between classes, clearly distinguishing it from the socialist notion of the abolition of classes based on the division between workers and owners of productive property. Allen Woods finds that Marx's view of classlessness

969-401: The surplus product generated by industry would accrue to the population as a whole as opposed to a class of private owners, thereby granting each increased autonomy and greater equality in their relationships with one another. Although the economist Karl Marx is sometimes mistaken to be an egalitarian, Marx eschewed normative theorizing on moral principles altogether. Marx did have a theory of

1020-477: The Law , and paid the $ 10 tuition. However, on the third day of classes, they were asked to leave, in part because the school's Dean felt their "rustling skirts" bothered the male students. In February, the women filed and argued a case that persuaded the state's Supreme Court to overturn that decision. However, because of work, activism, and family obligations, neither Gordon nor Foltz were able to graduate, and so

1071-803: The approach to democratize power, decision-making, and responsibility and distributed them more evenly among all members of a team or organization. Many philosophers, including Ingmar Persson, Peter Vallentyne , Nils Holtug, Catia Faria and Lewis Gompertz , have argued that egalitarianism implies that the interests of non-human animals must be taken into account as well. Philosopher Oscar Horta has further argued that egalitarianism implies rejecting speciesism , ceasing to exploit non-human animals and aiding animals suffering in nature . Furthermore, Horta argues that non-human animals should be prioritized since they are worse off than humans. In 1957, Martin Luther King Jr. quoted Galatians 3:28 ("There

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1122-504: The central question debated by theologians is whether the statement about ecclesiastical relationships can be translated into a Christian-ethical norm for all human relationships. Vorster argues that it can, and that the verse provides a Christian foundation for the promotion of human rights and equality, in contrast to "patriarchy, racism and exploitation" which in his opinion are caused by human sinfulness. Karin Neutel notes how some apply

1173-687: The claim is that an interplay between all these perspectives are required if each perspective is to be fulfilling. Although an individualist according to cultural theory is aversive towards both principles and groups, individualism is not fulfilling if individual brilliance cannot be recognized by groups, or if individual brilliance cannot be made permanent in the form of principles. Accordingly, they argue that egalitarians have no power except through their presence, unless they (by definition, reluctantly) embrace principles which enable them to cooperate with fatalists and hierarchies. They argue that this means they will also have no individual sense of direction without

1224-418: The entire concept of equality as abstract and bourgeois, preferring to focus on more concrete principles such as opposition to exploitation on materialist grounds and economic logic. In the title essay of his book Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays , Murray Rothbard argued that egalitarian theory always results in a politics of statist control because it is founded on revolt against

1275-729: The equal protection of the laws". The motto " Liberté, égalité, fraternité " was used during the French Revolution and is still used as an official motto of the French government. The 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen French Constitution is also framed with this basis in equal rights of humankind. The Declaration of Independence of the United States is an example of an assertion of equality of men as " All men are created equal " and

1326-456: The evolution of moral principles concerning specific economic systems . The American economist John Roemer has put forth a new perspective on equality and its relationship to socialism. Roemer attempts to reformulate Marxist analysis to accommodate normative principles of distributive justice , shifting the argument for socialism away from purely technical and materialist reasons to one of distributive justice. Roemer argues that according to

1377-605: The first female graduate of Hastings was Mary McHenry Keith . At that time, law school graduation was not necessary for bar admission, so Gordon studied on her own. On December 6, 1879, she was admitted to the State Bar of California , becoming the second female attorney in the state (after Foltz). In 1880 she established her own firm in San Francisco, where she specialized in general and criminal law. Her work included successful defenses in several murder cases. She

1428-414: The immense gains people receive from trading with each other arise because they are unequal in characteristics and talents—these differences may be innate or developed so that people can gain from trading with each other. Thompson et al. theorize that any society consisting of only one perspective, be it egalitarianism, hierarchies, individualist , fatalist or autonomists will be inherently unstable as

1479-630: The lobbying campaign for the Woman Lawyer's Bill, which granted women the right to practice law in California in January 1878. Gordon used her position as a journalist covering the debate to stay in touch with lawmakers and lobby the governor for the final signature. Later in 1878, Gordon was nominated as a delegate to the California Constitutional Convention , but was defeated. Despite not being elected as

1530-550: The noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted". Muhammad echoed these egalitarian sentiments, sentiments that clashed with the practices of the pre-Islamic cultures. In a review of Louise Marlow's Hierarchy and Egalitarianism in Islamic Thought, Ismail Poonawala argues the desire for the Arab-Muslim Empire to consolidate power and administer

1581-403: The ontological structure of reality itself. According to Rothbard, individuals are naturally unequal in their abilities, talents, and characteristics. He believed that this inequality was not only natural but necessary for a functioning society. In his view, people's unique qualities and abilities are what allow them to contribute to society in different ways. Rothbard argued that egalitarianism

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1632-661: The party to seat her as a representative from California (to "laughter") and submitted a pro-suffrage resolution. After beginning her legal career in 1879, she continued her suffrage activism. She was elected president of the California State Suffrage Association from 1884–1894, and a paid speaker on behalf of the movement in the 1888 presidential election . In 1892, she spoke at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago . Gordon

1683-447: The philosophy of Paul's statement to include sexuality, health and race saying "[The original] three pairs must have been as relevant in the first century, as the additional categories are today." She argues that the verse points to a utopian , cosmopolitan community. The verse 49 :13 of The Quran states: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed,

1734-410: The playing field and reduce disparities that result from social inequalities. Some specifically focused egalitarian concerns include communism , legal egalitarianism , luck egalitarianism , political egalitarianism , gender egalitarianism , racial equality , equality of opportunity , and Christian egalitarianism . Common forms of egalitarianism include political and philosophical. One argument

1785-423: The principle of distributive justice, the traditional definition of socialism is based on the principle that individual compensation is proportional to the value of the labor one expends in production (" To each according to his contribution ") is inadequate. Roemer concludes that egalitarians must reject socialism as it is classically defined for equality to be realized. The egalitarian management style focusses on

1836-486: The same things, do the same work, or live in the same manner. Far from it: the very reverse. ... Individual needs and tastes differ, as appetites differ. It is an equal opportunity to satisfy them that constitutes true equality. ... Far from leveling, such equality opens the door for the greatest possible variety of activity and development. For human character is diverse." The cultural theory of risk holds egalitarianism—with fatalism termed as its opposite —as defined by

1887-713: The second woman to be admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court , after Belva Lockwood . Gordon retired from the legal profession in 1901, and spent her last years on her farm in Lodi, California . Her health deteriorated in 1906 after the premature death of her grandchild. She caught pneumonia in March 1907, and died in Lodi on April 5, 1907. In May 1879, Gordon left a copy of her pamphlet The Great Geysers of California and How to Reach Them in

1938-582: The sexes . Gordon's February 19, 1868 speech in San Francisco , titled "The Elective Franchise: Who Shall Vote", was the first in California on the suffrage movement . It attracted a healthy crowd, some of whom went on to become leaders in California's suffrage movement. In 1870, she helped found the California Women's Suffrage Society , and gave more than 100 speeches on suffrage. Gordon also worked for suffrage in Nevada, speaking throughout

1989-721: The state in November 1904 campaigning on behalf of suffrage and spreading the word about this organization. Historian Gayle Gullett noted that the Los Angeles Times referred to the attendees as "several hundred assertive-appearing women." In 1905 the organization distributed pamphlets promoting the suffrage cause in the California Senate chamber. In September of that year they held their state convention. Attendees included Caroline Severance , Mary Sperry , Anna Bidwell and Ellen Clark Sargent . Caroline Severance

2040-534: The state in the late 1860s and in front of the state legislature in 1871. One paper writing about her speaking at this time described her speaking as "like a stream of liquid fire". Gordon also traveled outside of the Southwest, representing California at the 1872 National Woman Suffrage Association in New York City . At the 1872 Liberal Republican convention , alongside Susan B. Anthony , she asked

2091-580: The state rather led to the deemphasis of egalitarian teachings in the Qur'an and by the Prophet. Modern egalitarianism is a theory that rejects the classic definition of egalitarianism as a possible achievement economically, politically, and socially. Modern egalitarianism theory, or new egalitarianism, outlines that if everyone had the same opportunity cost , then there would be no comparative advances and no one would gain from trading with each other. In essence,

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2142-672: The time capsule was opened in April 1979. Armistead Maupin , who was present when the time capsule was opened, speculated that the quotation's use of "lover of her own sex" could have been a " coming out " for Gordon, but also acknowledged the phrase could have been an "idiosyncrasy of 19th century speech". The quotation was later used in Randy Shilts' biography of gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk , " Mayor of Castro Street ". Egalitarianism Egalitarianism (from French égal  'equal'), or equalitarianism ,

2193-470: The wording of men and man is a reference to both men and women, i.e., mankind. John Locke is sometimes considered the founder of this form. Many state constitutions in the United States also use the rights of man language rather than rights of person since the noun man has always been a reference to and an inclusion of both men and women. The Tunisian Constitution of 2014 provides that "men and women shall be equal in their rights and duties". Feminism

2244-472: Was a misguided attempt to impose an artificial equality on individuals, which would ultimately lead to societal breakdown. He believed that attempts to force equality through government policies or other means would stifle individual freedom and prevent people from pursuing their own interests and passions. Furthermore, Rothbard believed that egalitarianism was rooted in envy and resentment towards those who were more successful or talented than others. He saw it as

2295-408: Was also the first woman in California to argue a case to a jury. This work attracted national attention, particularly in the case of George Wheeler, where Gordon assisted the defense and Foltz the prosecution, leading New York's National Police Gazette to write that it was a case where "two females will be allowed to wag their tongues to their heart's content". On February 3, 1883, Gordon became

2346-590: Was born in North East, Pennsylvania , on August 17, 1838, to Abram de Force and Catherine Doolittle Allen. The family had nine children. Her father struggled with rheumatism , but the children (including at least two daughters) received education in the public schools. After the death of one of the children, the family turned to Spiritualism in 1855. Gordon toured the Northeast of the United States giving public speeches, starting as young as 15, including

2397-461: Was considered part of the "radical" branch of women's suffrage activists, in part because of her divorce and association with Spiritualism. Her correspondents included Henry George and Susan B. Anthony. As a result of her suffrage and publishing work, Gordon was well known in California political circles, and even received 200 votes for State Senate in 1871. This positioned her, along with fellow suffragette Clara Shortridge Foltz , to manage

2448-477: Was designated an honorary president of this organization in 1905. Suffragist Lillian Harris Coffin created a central committee for the CESA in 1906. Berkeley attorney Mary McHenry Keith also served as president of the CESA. Laura de Force Gordon Laura de Force Gordon (née Laura de Force ; August 17, 1838 – April 5, 1907) was a California lawyer, newspaper publisher, and a prominent suffragette . She

2499-524: Was founded by suffragist Elizabeth Lowe Watson . It was incorporated in 1904. The original name of the organization was The California Woman's Suffrage Association. Part of the reason for rebranding the organization was to reach out to men for support of the suffrage cause. The CESA would actively seek out the support of men. Activists affiliated with this organization lobbied for women's suffrage from automobiles and produced goods for purchase such as playing cards and postcards. Suffragist Gail Laughlin traveled

2550-505: Was not the subordination of society to a universal interest such as a universal notion of equality, but it was about the creation of the conditions that would enable individuals to pursue their true interests and desires, making Marx's notion of communist society radically individualistic. Although his position is often confused or conflated with distributive egalitarianism in which only the goods and services resulting from production are distributed according to notional equality, Marx eschewed

2601-702: Was the first woman to run a daily newspaper in the United States (the Stockton Daily Leader , 1874), and the second female lawyer admitted to practice in California. As an activist, Gordon was a key proponent of the Woman Lawyer's Bill , which allowed women to practice law in California. She also pushed for the inclusion of a section in the California Constitution that prohibited the state from barring women from practicing any profession. Laura de Force Gordon (née Laura de Force)

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