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BELOW: The complete text of the Preamble and Constitution of the Moneka
Women's Rights Association, with signatures of 42 members. This transcription
is taken from the actual book of minutes, on file at the Kansas State Museum
in Topeka. Photographs of the original book of minutes are HERE
Adopted 13 February 1858
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Preamble and Constitution
of the
Moneka Women's Rights Association
Because, Woman is constitu(te)d of body and mind and has all the common wants
of the one and the natural powers of the other.
Because she is a social being and has all the relations of life to sustain
which belong to an Associated condition of existence and
Because she is a progressive being ever out growing the past and demanding a
higher and greater Future -- or in other words
Because she is a Human Being and as such is endowed by her Creator with the
full measure of human rights whether educational, social, or political, and
Because by the present arrangement of the world she is shut out of Colleges
and the higher order of educational institutions, thereby deprived of great
opportunities for intellectual improvement -- shut out from most of the
lucrative professions and the mechanic arts, thereby deprived of the facilities
for the accumulation of wealth and enjoyment of social life, -- made subject to
laws which she has no voice in making and which deprive her of the ownership of
property & of herself, and give even her daily earnings to the control of
others; dragged before courts to answer for crimes, against laws to which she
has never given her assent, to be tried as a criminal in Halls where she can
neither sit as Judge or Juror, or officiate as counsel; and
Because, from the Pulpit and the Rostrum woman is called upon to give character
to the rising generation and charged with the responsibility of shaping the
destiny of the race,
Because she is demanded to make statesmen to wield the fate of Nations, and
divines to wake the world to glory,
We therefore form ourselves into an Association to be governed by the following
Constitution
Article First --
This association shall be called The Moneka Women's Rights Society
Article Second --
It shall be the object of the Society to secure to woman her natural rights
and to advance her educational interests. In furtherance of these rights the
Soc. shall consider what woman's natural rights are, and the means best
calculated to secure them. It shall also encourage lectures on this subject
in the Society and elsewhere; and give its support to some paper devoted to
the elevation of Woman
Article Third --
The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice Pres., Secretary,
Corresponding Sec., and Treasurer who shall perform the duties usually
ascribed to such offices. Officers shall be elected quarterly by ballot,
a majority of votes constituting a choice
Article Fourth --
The regular meetings of the Society shall be held Monthly. And other meetings
may be held as often as the wishes of the Society require it. At the regular
meetings an address shall be given by some member of the society appointed at
a previous regular meeting. After which some question previously agreed upon
shall be discussed by the members.
Article Fifth --
The first Anniversary shall be on the last Wednesday in Sept. At which time
addresses lectures and discussions on the various subjects connected with the
rights of women and of progression in general shall be given.
Article Sixth --
Terms of membership shall be a mutual agreement in the objects of the Society,
the signing of the Constitution, and paying twenty five cents into the Treasury
Article Seventh --
The Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of two thirds of the
members present at any regular meeting, notice having been given at a previous
regular meeting
Elvira Andrews Matilda L. Gibbons John C. Anderson
Esther Wattles R. W. Gibbons R. A. Frazell
Elizabeth S. Denison Joseph Addis John Morrison
Mollie A. McGrath Pamelia C. Knox E. L. Taylor
Emma Wattles Charlotte Smith Thomas J. Addis Jr.
Pamelia Doy Rhoda W. Ransom Lyman Strand
Sarah G. Wattles Geo. E. Denison Hamilton Schooley
Susan E. Wattles John O. wattles J. S. Craig
Lima S. H. Ober Hannah Strong Thos. J. Addis Sr.
Angeline P. Crystal H. P. Danforth Timothy Hulbert
Rebecca E. Hulbert J. H. Stearns P. Frissell
Mary P. T. Snyder U. E. Morse Charlotte S. Anderson
Ann Schooley C. E. Shearer Aggie Lefker
Huldah A. Goodwin Emma S. Burrett Hatty Addis
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