Morgan, Anita A.Hamilton, Eric L.Kostroun, Daniella J., 1970-Thuesen, Peter J.2014-02-252014-02-252013https://hdl.handle.net/1805/4031http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/179Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)As white settlers and pioneers moved westward in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, some of the first to settle the Indiana territory, near the Ohio border, were members of the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers). Many of these Quakers focused on social reforms, especially the anti-slavery movement, as they fled the slave-holding states like the Carolinas. Less discussed in Indiana’s history is the impact Quakerism also had in the movement for women’s rights. This case study of two of the founding members of the Indiana Woman’s Rights Association (later to be renamed the Indiana Woman’s Suffrage Association), illuminates the influences of Quakerism on women’s rights. Amanda M. Way (1828-1914) and Mary Frame (Myers) Thomas, M.D. (1816-1888) practiced skills and gained opportunities for organizing a grassroots movement through the Religious Society of Friends. They attained a strong sense of moral grounding, skills for conducting business meetings, and most importantly, developed a confidence in public speaking uncommon for women in the nineteenth century. Quakerism propelled Way and Thomas into action as they assumed early leadership roles in the women’s rights movement. As advocates for greater equality and freedom for women, Way and Thomas leveraged the skills learned from Quakerism into political opportunities, resource mobilization, and the ability to frame their arguments within other ideological contexts (such as temperance, anti-slavery, and education).en-USIndianaWomenNineteenth CenturyQuakerSociety of FriendsMethodist Episcopal ChurchWoman's SuffrageThomas, Mary Frame Myers, 1816-1888Way, Amanda M., 1828-1914Society of Friends -- Indiana -- History -- 19th century -- SourcesMethodist Episcopal Church -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryWomen -- Suffrage -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryQuakers -- Political activity -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centurySociety of Friends -- DoctrinesReligion and politics -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryWomen abolitionists -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryQuaker women -- Indiana -- Influence -- History -- 19th centuryFeminists -- Indiana -- Biography -- 19th centuryAntislavery movements -- United States -- History -- 19th centuryAntislavery movements -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryTemperance -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryWoman's Rights Association of IndianaIndiana Woman's Suffrage AssociationWomen -- Education -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryWomen's rights -- Indiana -- History -- 19th centuryThesis