When I state my views on abortion, I am almost universally shot down by women because I am a man. While morality knows no gender, I think it fair to take that criticism into consideration. In an earlier article, I wrote about the difference between feminism and female supremacy, noting that I have a strong respect for the former, and utter contempt for the latter.

So, when discussing the information regarding abortion, I found it interesting when a radio talk show host mentioned the other day that early feminist leaders had opposed abortion. As my girls get older and nearer adulthood, such serious discussion about the roles and beliefs of traditional feminist leaders comes into play. I want my daughters to aspire to be all they can be, but to understand what it means to be a strong woman and a woman of character. And so, I decided to examine this statement further. The first sources I used were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, as most Americans, even those poorly versed in history, have heard of these two individuals (in Anthony's case if only because of those dastardly dollar coins we always confused with quarters).

Stanton's position on abortion was summed up in the following: "When we consider that women have been treated as property it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit." (Link ) Anthony referred to abortion as "infanticide" and commented that: "When a woman destroys the life of her unborn child, it is a sign that, by education or circumstances, she has been greatly wronged." (Link )

Victoria Woodhull, who in 1872 ran as the first woman candidate for president with Frederick Douglas as the first black candidate for vice president (although she did not appear on the ballot because, at 34 she was too young to qualify as a presidential candidate) was equally dogmatic on the matter. She commented that: "Every woman knows that if she were free, she would never bear an unwished-for child, nor think of murdering one before its birth." (Link ). And Ms. Woodhull was considered among the more radical of the feminist leaders, being opposed by Susan B. Anthony because of her aggressiveness.

Finally, we can look to the writings of Alice Paul, who helped draft the original version of the Equal Rights Amendment, who called abortion "the ultimate exploitation of women" (Link ).

If women today want to take a stance in favor of abortion, then that is their own prerogative, and I cannot advise otherwise. But if they wish to find leaders and supporters in their cause, they must look to other sources besides the feminist leaders who secured for them many of the rights they have today, including the right to vote. These same leaders almost unilaterally and unequivocably opposed abortion.