1869: The "Woman Question"
Willard continued to struggle with the conflict between her convictions and her awareness that in order to reach the widest audience—which she increasingly felt would be her role in life—she would need to appeal for suffrage on a basis other than rights.
She also had to overcome her own fears about the “womanliness” of taking a stand and speaking out. During her travels through Europe and the Holy Land from 1869-1870 (accompanying a wealthy friend), Willard continued to mull over the “Woman Question,” studying the role of women in every country they visited, and becoming more convinced that she was destined to help resolve the issues that kept women from achieving all that they could—and should. In her travel journals, she often recurred to her hope that she would have the courage to help women.
Pictured here is a page from Journal #33 (Rome) one of twenty journal volumes that Willard filled during her travels; below, transcribed excerpts from Paris and from Rome illustrating Willard’s efforts to convince herself that she had the strength and ability to make a difference.
Journal #26 (Paris), February 6, 1869:
"I have a mind to indicate here what has much occupied my mind of late….Briefly, to study {the “Woman Question”] as far as possible by reading, learning of languages and personal observation…[and] to talk in public of the matter, and cast myself with what weight or weakness I possess against the only foe of what I conceive to be the justice of the subject—unenlightened public opinion. Sometimes I feel “the victory within me”—often, I do not. Always, I have felt it dimly to be “my vocation,” but a continual dread of criticism…held me back."
Journal #33 (Rome), December 3, 1869:
"Most of all I am interested in the "Woman Question” & jealous for its honor & safe-conduct to a just & reasonable issue. I wonder if I shall be so fortunate, on my return baptized into the spirit of untrammeled life for all...I wonder if so much happiness is in reserve for me, as to give some honest help in the generous, new crusade? To write or utter some earnest words for evolution, not revolution;-for womanly liberty..."