A religious revival in the mid-1800s encouraged men and women alike to take direct action in their daily lives to make life better for those less fortunate than themselves. Responses to this call included the establishment of the temperance movement (designed to control alcohol consumption) and the abolitionist movement (the fight to end slavery). These political campaigns are often cited as critical precursors to the struggle for women’s suffrage because, unlike in other political arenas, women were able to take active and leading roles in both causes.

Women throughout the United States formed local and national female temperance and antislavery societies. These groups were often organized by and for women alone since American society still looked askance at women being too actively involved in the "male" pursuit of politics. In addition to their contribution to the broader movements, these female organizations brought...