Abigail Scott Duniway: Pioneer for Women's Rights
In 1852, seventeen-year-old Abigail Scott traveled west along the Oregon Trail behind a covered wagon. The long and difficult journey cost the lives of both her mother and her younger brother. After settling in Oregon, Abigail quickly learned how hard pioneer life could be. As she grew older, she noticed another problem. Women could not vote in Oregon, and the laws of the time limited married women's control over their earnings and property. Abigail believed these restrictions were unfair and decided to work for change.
In 1853, Abigail married Benjamin Duniway and helped run a family farm. Later, she opened a hat shop in Albany, Oregon. In her shop, she listened to farm women who had worked hard alongside their husbands. Some faced serious financial hardship if their husbands died or left them. To give women a voice, Abigail moved her family to Portland in 1871 and started a weekly newspaper called The New Northwest. She edited and published it from 1871 to 1887, about sixteen years. Her articles argued for women's rights and women's suffrage, which means the right to vote.
- pioneer:
- A person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.
- suffrage:
- The legal right to vote in political elections.
- newspaper:
- A printed publication containing news, feature articles, and advertisements.
- amendment:
- A change or addition made to a law or constitution.
- proclamation:
- An official public statement or announcement made by an authority.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How old was Abigail Scott when she traveled along the Oregon Trail, and what personal losses did she suffer on the journey?
- 2What restrictions did women face in Oregon during the period described at the beginning of the passage?
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About this biography passage for 5th Grade
“Abigail Scott Duniway: Pioneer for Women's Rights” is a biography reading passage about Women's Suffrage, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (331 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.