Many Rochestarians today don’t even know about the historical significance of their own city. Two of the most influential Americans of all time lived the bulk of their lives right here in Rochester, NY.  When you really think about it, that’s kind of crazy. If you aren’t quite sure who I’m referring to, allow me to clarify. I’m talking about eternally renowned activists Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. 

    Susan B. Anthony was both a women’s rights activist and abolitionist. She is the number one advocate who comes to mind for most people when discussing women’s suffrage. Susan B. lived in Rochester for 61 years and executed nearly all of her activism here. That put Rochester at the very forefront of the gender equality movement, and that is absolutely something to take pride in. The 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which gives women the right to vote, is even colloquially known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. Many people are aware of her incalculable significance in the gender equality movement, yet when I learned about her in school, I recall absolutely no emphasis being put on the fact that she is literally from our city. Granted, this failure can be put on school curriculum and not necessarily on Rochester itself. In fact, Rochester has done a rather excellent job commemorating arguably the most influential American women ever. The first memorial dedicated to her was established in 1907, just a year after her passing. A stained glass window featuring her portrait was placed in African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The window also features a quote from Anthony, encouragingly reading “failure is impossible”. The most famous local memorialization of Susan B. however, is of course the Susan B. Anthony house. The home that she spent countless hours in organizing events, writing petitions, and penning speeches has been deemed a National Historic Landmark and can be toured everyday, save Monday, from 11AM-5PM. If you have never been there I highly recommend you go. The experience is both insightful and humbling. Anthony, however, is not the only major activist to have frequented this house. Her friend, Frederick Douglass was also known to take tea there from time to time. Yes, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass were actually friends, and quite good ones at that.

    

    Douglass is one of the most accomplished abolitionist ever, alongside Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Malcolm X. He was born a slave in Cordova, Maryland but wasn’t even sure of his own birth date or year. After it was discovered by a historian he was born in 1818, though, Douglass decided to celebrate on February 14th due to the fact his mother called him her “little Valentine”. On September 3rd, 1838 Douglass escaped his bondage, fleeing to New York City with the aid of his soon-to-be wife, a free black women named Anna Murray. The couple married just twelve days later. Douglass did not find his way to Rochester until 1847, when he was approximately 29 years old. Already a well-respected writer and orator, Douglass began publishing his first abolitionist newspaper, “North Star”, from the basement of Memorial AME Zion Church. The paper’s motto was “Right is of no sex- Truth is of no color- God if the Father of us all, and we are all brethren.” Five years later, on July 5th, Douglass delivered one of the most prolific anti-slavery speeches ever at Corinthian Hall. It is now known as “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Shortly following this speech, a massive push for desegregation in education occurred in Rochester and Douglass even called for court action. Eventually, though, Douglass moved to Washington D.C. feeling he could elicit even deeper change residing in the capital. It was never his “home” however, as when he passed, Douglass made in known that he wanted to be buried in Rochester, NY. He lived here for 25 years, longer than he had anywhere else, and now his resting place can be found at Mount Hope Cemetery. This is far from the only place that Douglass’ name can be found in Rochester though. In 1899, a statue was built in his honor, making him the first African-American EVER to be memorialized in the United States. More recently, the Greater Rochester International Airport was renovated and renamed the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in his memory.

    

    In all sincerity, Rochester is one of the most historically significant cities in the United States. It’s early progressiveness, quite possibly, has no equal. Yet, countless residents of this very city have no idea of it’s impact. That’s just sad. This is something that needs to be celebrated and experienced. Visiting these landmarks and soaking in their rich history is an essential part of living in appreciating this city. I honestly can’t stress that enough.