In honor of Women’s History Month, we spotlight Victoria Woodhull, who boldly announced her presidential candidacy in a letter to the New York Herald in 1870. This was a time when women were not allowed to vote, yet there were no laws preventing a woman from running for president—perhaps due to the prevailing disbelief that a woman could ever hold such office.
Woodhull, a passionate advocate for women’s rights, has largely faded from the annals of history. Her contemporaries often distanced themselves from her, concerned that her progressive views on other social issues might hinder their cause. As a divorced woman with a checkered past, including being a Spiritualist and the daughter of a swindler, she was viewed as controversial.
However, her journey from an uneducated woman to one of the wealthiest and most talked-about figures of her time demonstrates her commitment to fighting injustices. Despite setbacks, including losing her fortune, she tirelessly advocated for betterment in society, securing her place among iconic figures in American history.
