“The strongest reason for giving woman every opportunity for higher education, for the full development of her faculties, complete emancipation from all form of slavery, custom, dependence, superstition; of all the paralyzing influences of fear, lies solitude and personal responsibility for one's own individual life. To guide our own ship, we must be captain, pilot, engineer; with map and compass to help you stay behind the wheel; matching the wind and waves and knowing when to take in the sail, and reading the signs in the firmament above all else. It doesn't matter whether the solo traveler is male or female. (Elizabeth Cady Stanton) Elizabeth Cady Stanton's words echo through time like a pebble in a pond. Stanton was among the first women to speak out in favor of equal rights for women. Elizabeth's quest for equal rights for women began with her desire to gain her father's approval. Elizabeth was one of eleven siblings, so she naturally craved her parents' attention. Elizabeth had a very strong attachment to her father, who was more driven to love his sons. During Elizabeth's childhood, her older brother died and she sought to take his place so that her father would love her as he had loved his son. To gain status in her father's eyes, Elizabeth followed teachings reserved for men. In her efforts to gain acceptance, she remained at the top of her class while attending Johnstown Academy, where she studied among the boys. Growing up, alongside her father, Elizabeth learned why women were considered inferior to men. During this period, women had no rights compared to men. Women were raised to be housewives and nothing else. Women were not allowed to go to university; h...... middle of paper ......pedia Britannica, 2011. Web. March 6, 2011. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/563303/Elizabeth-Cady-Stanton “Resources.” pbs.org. March 6, 2011.http://www.pbs.org/stantonanthony/resources/index.htmlStuber, Irene. The Liz Library. 1990-2006. March 6, 2011 http://www.thelizlibrary.org/site-index/site-index-frame.html#soulhttp://www.thelizlibrary.org/undelete/library.htmlThe Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony Papers Project . Gordon, Ann D. July 2009. Rutgers, State University of New Jersey. March 6, 2011 http://ecssba.rutgers.edu/resources/students.htmlWard, Geoffrey G. Not for us alone. New York: Random House, Inc., 1999 Women's Votes, Women's Voices. Jepsen, David. 2007-2009. Washington State Historical Society. March 6, 2011. http://stories.washingtonhistory.org/suffrage/People/estanton.aspx