Martha Hughes Cannon

Martha Hughes Cannon was a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement in the United States, closely associated with the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association. She was a skilled physician and politician who worked tirelessly to advance the rights of women in Utah and beyond, often collaborating with notable figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Her efforts were instrumental in the passage of the Utah Women's Suffrage Act in 1870, which granted women's suffrage in Utah Territory. Cannon's work was also influenced by the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

● Early Life and Education

Martha Hughes Cannon was born in Llandudno, Wales, to Peter Hughes and Elizabeth Evans Hughes, and later moved to the United States with her family, settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. She pursued her education at the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah) and later at the University of Michigan, where she earned her medical degree, becoming one of the first women to graduate from the institution. During her time at the University of Michigan, she was exposed to the ideas of women's rights advocates like Sojourner Truth and Lucy Stone. Her education and training as a physician were also influenced by the work of Elizabeth Blackwell and the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania.

● Career

Cannon began her career as a physician in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she worked at the Deseret Hospital and later established her own practice. She was a skilled obstetrician and gynecologist, and her work in these fields was recognized by the American Medical Association and the Utah Medical Association. Her medical career was also influenced by the work of Florence Nightingale and the International Council of Women. Cannon's expertise in public health led to her involvement in various initiatives, including the Utah State Board of Health and the National Conference of Charities and Correction.

● Politics and Women's Rights

Martha Hughes Cannon's entry into politics was motivated by her desire to advance the rights of women in Utah and beyond. She was a member of the Utah State Legislature and worked closely with other suffragists, including Emmeline B. Wells and Susan B. Anthony, to secure women's suffrage in Utah. Her efforts were instrumental in the passage of the Utah Women's Suffrage Act in 1870, which granted women's suffrage in Utah Territory. Cannon's work was also influenced by the National Woman's Party and the League of Women Voters. She was a strong advocate for the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guaranteed women's suffrage nationwide, and worked with notable figures like Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt to achieve this goal.

● Personal Life

Martha Hughes Cannon was married to Angus M. Cannon, a prominent Mormon leader and politician, with whom she had two children. Her personal life was marked by challenges, including the polygamy practiced by her husband, which led to her involvement in the women's suffrage movement. Cannon's relationships with other notable figures, including Eliza R. Snow and Belle S. Spafford, were also significant in her personal and professional life. Her experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society were influenced by the work of Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women.

● Legacy

Martha Hughes Cannon's legacy is that of a pioneering physician, politician, and suffragist who dedicated her life to advancing the rights of women in Utah and beyond. Her work in the women's suffrage movement was instrumental in securing women's suffrage in Utah and contributing to the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer and a role model for women in medicine, politics, and social activism, inspiring figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Shirley Chisholm. Her legacy continues to be celebrated by organizations like the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Utah Women's History Association. Category:American suffragists