Ep 2. Not For Ourselves Alone: Part 2

In the second part of the two-part episode "Not For Ourselves Alone," Ken Burns continues exploring the lives of suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This episode follows the pair from the Reconstruction era to the Gilded Age, as they tirelessly work to advance the cause of women's suffrage.

As the women's rights movement gains momentum in the late 1800s, Stanton and Anthony work to develop a strategy for securing the right to vote for women. They begin by drafting the "Declaration of Rights of Women," which boldly asserts that "all men and women are created equal." Though this document is met with derision and ridicule by many, it sets the stage for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment.

Over the years, Anthony and Stanton face numerous setbacks and obstacles in their fight for women's suffrage. They are mocked by politicians and the media, and are even physically attacked by dissenters. Despite these challenges, they refuse to give up or back down, traveling the country and speaking to crowds of women about the importance of their cause.

Throughout their work, Anthony and Stanton are supported by a network of other suffragists, including Lucy Stone and Matilda Joslyn Gage. These women, like Anthony and Stanton, face discrimination and ridicule for their beliefs, but remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving equality for women.

As the women's suffrage movement gains steam, Anthony and Stanton must grapple with difficult questions about race and inclusion. They build alliances with African American suffragists like Sojourner Truth, but also face criticism from black leaders who feel that white suffragists are not doing enough to support their cause. Anthony and Stanton must navigate these tensions and work to build a coalition that is truly representative of all women.

As the episode draws to a close, Anthony and Stanton see their hard work pay off with the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees women the right to vote. Though they did not live to see this momentous occasion, their legacy lives on in the countless women who followed in their footsteps and fought for equal rights.

Overall, "Not For Ourselves Alone: Part 2" is a moving tribute to the bravery and perseverance of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the many other suffragists who worked tirelessly to secure the right to vote for women. Through interviews with historians, archival footage, and dramatic reenactments, Ken Burns brings their story to life, showing us both the triumphs and the struggles of this important movement.