International Congress of Women
Encyclopedia
The name International Congress of Women was used by a number of feminist and pacifist events since 1878.
. Seven resolutions were passed, beginning with the idea that "the adult woman is the equal of the adult man". A closing speech was given by Emily Venturi. The subject of women's suffrage
was deliberately avoided at the Congress, as it was too controversial and not supported by all women. Hubertine Auclert
wrote a speech calling for the right to vote for French women, but was not allowed to present it to the Congress. Instead, she published it later.
through negotiation. Two participants, Jane Addams
and Emily Greene Balch
, would later receive the Nobel Peace Prize
. The French government prevented the participation of a French delegation, and the planned 180-strong British delegation was severely reduced by the British government's suspension of the commercial ferry service between Folkestone
and Flushing
.
This event marked the foundation of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
. Somewhat confusingly, it is sometimes referred to as the First International Congress of Women.
Paris, 1878
The First International Congress of Women's Rights convened in Paris in 1878 upon the occasion of the third Paris World's FairExposition Universelle (1878)
The third Paris World's Fair, called an Exposition Universelle in French, was held from 1 May through to 10 November 1878. It celebrated the recovery of France after the 1870 Franco-Prussian War.-Construction:...
. Seven resolutions were passed, beginning with the idea that "the adult woman is the equal of the adult man". A closing speech was given by Emily Venturi. The subject of women's suffrage
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
was deliberately avoided at the Congress, as it was too controversial and not supported by all women. Hubertine Auclert
Hubertine Auclert
Hubertine Auclert was a leading French feminist and a campaigner for women's suffrage.Born in the Allier département in the Auvergne area of France into a middle-class family, Hubertine Auclert's father died when she was thirteen years old and her mother sent her to live and study in a Roman...
wrote a speech calling for the right to vote for French women, but was not allowed to present it to the Congress. Instead, she published it later.
The Hague, April–May 1915
This congress, also known as the Women's Peace Congress was part of the emergent women's peace movement. More than 1200 delegates from 12 countries discussed proposals to end the First World WarWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
through negotiation. Two participants, Jane Addams
Jane Addams
Jane Addams was a pioneer settlement worker, founder of Hull House in Chicago, public philosopher, sociologist, author, and leader in woman suffrage and world peace...
and Emily Greene Balch
Emily Greene Balch
Emily Greene Balch was an American academic, writer, and pacifist who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 , notably for her work with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom .Born in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston into an affluent family, she was amongst the first...
, would later receive the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
. The French government prevented the participation of a French delegation, and the planned 180-strong British delegation was severely reduced by the British government's suspension of the commercial ferry service between Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
and Flushing
Flushing, Netherlands
Vlissingen is a municipality and a city in the southwestern Netherlands on the former island of Walcheren. With its strategic location between the Scheldt river and the North Sea, Vlissingen has been an important harbour for centuries. It was granted city rights in 1315. In the 17th century...
.
This event marked the foundation of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom was established in the United States in January 1915 as the Woman's Peace Party...
. Somewhat confusingly, it is sometimes referred to as the First International Congress of Women.
Vienna, July 1921
This congress ended with a short resolution entitled "Revision of peace treaties":- Believing that the Peace Treaties contain the seeds of new wars, this Congress declares that a revision of the Peace Terms is necessary, and resolves to make this object its principal task.