Lucy Stone (1818-1893) was a prominent American orator, [[abolitionist]], and suffragist, and a vocal advocate for women's rights. She was a pioneer in the women's rights movement in the United States and was known for retaining her maiden name after marriage, inspiring other women to do the same. Born on August 13, 1818, in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, Lucy Stone was the eighth of nine children. She was raised in a family that valued education but believed in traditional gender roles. Despite her family's opposition, Stone was determined to pursue her education and worked as a teacher to save money for college. ## A woman of many firsts In 1843, Stone enrolled at Oberlin Collegiate Institute (now Oberlin College), one of the few colleges that accepted women at the time. She graduated in 1847, making her one of the first women in the United States to earn a college degree. After graduating, Stone began her career as a public speaker and became known for her compelling speeches advocating for the abolition of [[slavery]] and women's rights. She was one of the first American women to serve as a public speaker in such a capacity, which was a radical act at the time. In 1850, Stone organized the first national women's rights convention in Worcester, Massachusetts. This was a significant step in bringing the issue of women's rights to the national stage. ## "Lucy Stoners" kept their last names In 1855, Stone married Henry Blackwell, a fellow abolitionist and women's rights activist. Contrary to the norms of the time, Stone kept her maiden name after marriage, leading to the term "Lucy Stoner" being used to refer to a woman who does the same. This was a radical move that symbolized her belief in the equality of women in marriage. In 1869, Stone and her husband founded the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), an organization dedicated to achieving women's [[suffrage]]. The AWSA was in contrast to the National Woman Suffrage Association, which was led by [[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]] and [[Susan B. Anthony]] and which advocated for a broader range of women's rights. Lucy Stone continued to speak and advocate for women's rights until her death in 1893. Her legacy lives on in the continued fight for gender equality, and her life and work are commemorated in numerous ways, including the Lucy Stone Home Site, a National Historic Landmark in Massachusetts.