International Congress of Women's Rights opens in Washington
- When
- 1888
- Where
- Washington, D.C.
- Episodes
- 3
In March 1888, women leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., for an international congress organized by the National Woman Suffrage Association. This meeting convened delegates from nine countries representing 53 organizations, leading to the formation of the International Council of Women. The event marked a significant step in the international women's movement, establishing a formal global network for advocacy.
Episodes
- Formation of the National Council of Women
The National Council of Women of the United States was founded in 1888 at the first ICW gathering.
- International Delegation Assembly
Women leaders from nine countries gathered in Washington, D.C., in March and April 1888, representing 53 organizations with 49 delegates and 80 speakers.
- Founding Meeting of the International Council of Women
The National Woman Suffrage Association organized the founding meeting of the ICW in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 1888, establishing a global women's organization.
Background and detail
Background. The National Woman Suffrage Association, led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, organized the founding meeting of the International Council of Women. The meeting convened in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 1888, bringing together women leaders from multiple nations.
International Participation. The congress featured 80 speakers and 49 delegates representing 53 women's organizations from nine countries, including Canada, the United States, Ireland, India, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, France, and Norway. This broad representation highlighted the transnational nature of the women's movement and the desire for international cooperation in achieving social reform.
Historical Significance. The 1888 gathering resulted in the creation of the International Council of Women and the National Council of Women of the United States, the latter founded at the first ICW gathering. The congress brought together leaders from nine countries in Washington, D.C., during March and April 1888.
People involved
- Susan B. Anthony · Leader of the National Woman Suffrage Association, which organized the founding meeting
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton · Co-leader of the National Woman Suffrage Association
Sources
- International Council of Women Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-14
- Susan B. Anthony Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-13
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.