Women's Memorabilia

Item Description

Ms. Anthony: Purse with a Purpose

designed by the Abigail Riggs Collection

The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House introduced this contemporary handbag to
share the story of Susan B. Anthony as a champion of women's independence.

The purse is a contemporary version of Susan B. Anthony's trademark alligator purse.
This limited edition, faux alligator (synthetic) handbag is 17"wide and 5" deep,
standing 17" to the top of the handles. It fits comfortably over the shoulder
and accommodates a mini laptop or tablet and a host of other essentials. It
features two quotes from Susan B. Anthony: a plate reading "Failure is
impossible" on the back of the purse, and "Every woman needs a purse of her own"
stamped on the reverse of the Abigail Riggs bee emblem on the front. Each
handbag is numbered and only 2,000 will be produced. Women of all ages are proud
to carry this beautiful modern handbag as a reminder of the pioneer who believed
that every woman should have the right to economic independence and financial
success. One hundred percent of the purchase price benefits the mission and
programs of the Susan B. Anthony House.

  The Original Alligator Purse

One of the great treasures in the collection of the Susan B. Anthony House, the National Historic Landmark in Rochester, NY, is Susan B. Anthony's own alligator bag. Well-worn and fragile, today it's on display in a temperature- and humidity-controlled case, carefully protected from bright lights and other environmental effects that could further deteriorate its condition. It's a quiet retirement for the handbag that rode front and center on the arm of one of the most public, most talked-about, equally praised and vilified figures of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The alligator bag traveled with Susan B. Anthony wherever she went---around New York, to the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., across the country to California and other western states, even crossing the ocean on a ship bound for Germany. It was by her side on trains, sleighs, stagecoaches, buckboards, steamships, and all other forms of transportation Miss Anthony used in her
thousands of trips to meet with people, give speeches, advocate for women's
rights, and change hearts and minds to support equal rights for all people. This
simple alligator bag carried Susan B. Anthony's most important items for her
travels---speeches, papers, the transcript of her 1873 trial, petitions, and
other documents necessary to press the case to others that all people should be
treated fairly in the workings of communities and governments.

Item Special Note

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Thank you for your support,

The National Women’s History Project