How much did Native American women influence the women’s rights movement in the US?

Many people know that the women’s rights movement was centered here in upstate New York. You may also know that many Native American tribes are matrilineal in structure, with women occupying major decision-making roles. This structure appears to have influenced women’s rights pioneers, according to the researchers.

Matilda Joslyn Gage was a major figure in the women’s movement. She carefully studied and befriended the indigenous tribes upstate. Gage was fascinated by their culture, upon learning of their matrilineal structures, whereby clan mothers choose chiefs and make decisions about tribal politics.

“Justice has never been more perfect, and civilization has never been higher,” Gage Books.

(Listen: Podcast about matriarchal societies and the women’s rights movement)

Dr. Sally Roach Wagner researches Gage’s life and legacy in the struggle for women’s rights. Wagner criticizes herself for not seeing the connection between the Haudenosaunee states and their influence on the pioneers of women’s rights. She suggests that both Western culture and laws have been built on patriarchy, which has blinded her to communication.

“I knew deeply (and wrongly) that Indian women had nothing to teach white women. This is how deep racism poisoned my studies,” says Wagner

Started by Michelle Shanandoah Back Magazine To focus attention on the role of women. She says the Haudenosaunee’s respect for women and their role in bringing life to the world has always been in contrast…