Victoria Woodhull

Victoria Woodhull (1838–1927) was a pioneering American author, women’s rights advocate, and the first woman to run for President of the United States in 1872. Born in Ohio to a poor and eccentric family, she rose from obscurity to become a national figure through her work as a spiritualist, stockbroker, and political reformer. Alongside her sister Tennessee Claflin, she broke barriers on Wall Street by opening the first woman-run brokerage firm, and she used her fame to champion radical ideas around free love, women’s suffrage, and social equality.

As an author, Woodhull co-founded and wrote for the influential newspaper Woodhull & Claflin’s Weekly, which published articles on women's rights, spiritualism, and controversial political issues. Notably, the paper was among the first in the U.S. to print The Communist Manifesto in English. Through her writings and speeches, she demanded equal rights, reproductive freedom, and personal autonomy for women, making her a key figure in both the feminist and social reform movements of the 19th century.

Victoria Woodhull’s bold and visionary quotes reflect her fearless advocacy:

“I am a free lover. I have an inalienable, constitutional, and natural right to love whom I may.”

“While others prayed for the poor, I demanded their rights.”

“Riding astride is the most natural way for a woman to ride.”
These statements highlight Woodhull’s commitment to freedom, justice, and challenging the norms of her time. Her legacy endures as a symbol of courage, individual liberty, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.