Learn more about the lives of three remarkable individuals who left their mark on the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.
1. Susan B. Anthony: The Pioneer of Women’s Suffrage One of the most iconic figures in American history, Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams, Massachusetts, in 1820, but she spent a significant portion of her life in the Finger Lakes Region. Anthony was a tireless advocate for women’s rights, including the right to vote. Her family moved to Battenville, New York, in 1826, where she grew up with a passion for social reform. Susan B. Anthony’s dedication to the suffrage movement culminated in the famous Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. Her relentless pursuit of equality eventually led to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote. Learn more
2. Frederick Douglass: The Abolitionist and Orator Born into slavery around 1818 in Maryland, Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom and settled in the Finger Lakes Region, specifically in the city of Rochester. Douglass was a prominent abolitionist, author, and orator who used his powerful words to advocate for the abolition of slavery and equal rights for all. In Rochester, he published his newspaper, “The North Star,” and became a leader in the anti-slavery movement. His autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” remains a powerful testament to the struggle for freedom and justice. Learn more
3. Jemima Wilkinson: The Public Universal Friend Born in Rhode Island in 1752, Jemima Wilkinson had a unique and controversial religious journey that led her to the Finger Lakes Region. She claimed to have had a near-death experience in 1776, after which she declared herself the “Public Universal Friend” and began preaching a message of universal salvation and gender equality. Wilkinson and her followers settled in what is now known as Penn Yan, New York. She became a prominent religious leader, and her unconventional beliefs challenged traditional religious norms of the time. Her legacy lives on as a fascinating chapter in the region’s history. Learn more
These three historical figures, each with their own unique contributions, played pivotal roles in shaping the Finger Lakes Region and the nation. Their stories remind us of the region’s rich history and its enduring commitment to progress, equality, and social justice.
