5 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Susan B. Anthony Day with Your Students

Hey there, fellow educators! 👋

I’ve been writing about American holidays for three decades now. And I’ll tell you something. Susan B. Anthony Day remains one of the most underrated teachable moments on our calendar.

Every February 15th, we get a chance to spark something powerful in our classrooms. This year? It falls on a Sunday. That means you’ve got flexibility. Celebrate it on Friday the 13th. Or push it to Monday the 16th. Either way, your students deserve to know this incredible woman’s story.

Let me share what’s worked in classrooms across the country. These aren’t just activities. They’re experiences that stick.

When Is Susan B. Anthony Day 2026 and Why Does It Matter?

Before we dive into activities, let’s get our facts straight.

Susan B. Anthony Day celebrates the birthday of one of America’s most fearless reformers. She fought for women’s right to vote for over 50 years. She never saw the 19th Amendment pass. She died in 1906. But her legacy? It changed everything.

Teaching Susan B. Anthony to elementary students or middle schoolers isn’t just history class. It’s character education. It’s civics. It’s showing kids what persistence looks like.

1. Host a “Mock Trial” Classroom Activity for Women’s Suffrage

This one’s my absolute favorite. Trust me on this.

In 1872, Susan B. Anthony walked into a polling station in Rochester, New York. She voted. It was illegal. She got arrested. And her trial became national news.

Here’s how to bring this to life:

• Assign students roles: judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, Susan herself, and jury members
• Use actual quotes from the real trial transcripts (they’re public domain!)
• Let your “jury” decide: guilty or not guilty?
• Discuss what happened in the real trial (spoiler: the judge directed a guilty verdict)

This Susan B. Anthony classroom activity works beautifully for grades 4-8. It teaches critical thinking. It sparks debate. And kids remember it for years.

Pro tip: Have students research women’s suffrage timeline events beforehand. Context matters.

2. Create a Women’s History Interactive Timeline Wall

Visual learning hits different. Especially with history.

I’ve seen this activity transform boring hallways into living museums. And it’s perfect for celebrating famous women in American history beyond just Susan B. Anthony.

Materials you’ll need:

Key dates to include:

1. 1820 – Susan B. Anthony born in Adams, Massachusetts
2. 1851 – Anthony meets Elizabeth Cady Stanton (iconic duo alert!)
3. 1872 – Anthony votes and gets arrested
4. 1906 – Anthony dies, never seeing women vote
5. 1920 – 19th Amendment finally passes
6. 1979 – Susan B. Anthony dollar coin released

This women’s history project for students encourages research skills. It builds collaboration. And that timeline stays up all month during Women’s History Month activities in March.

3. Write Letters to Modern-Day Changemakers

Here’s where things get personal.

Susan B. Anthony wrote thousands of letters in her lifetime. She understood the power of words. Your students can carry that tradition forward.

The assignment is simple:

Have each student identify a woman making change today. Could be local. Could be national. Could be someone in their own family.

Then? Write them a letter.

• Thank them for their work
• Ask one thoughtful question
• Explain why their efforts matter

I’ve seen classes write to:

• Local city council members
• Female scientists and doctors
• Women business owners in their community
• Authors and artists they admire

Some of these letters get responses. When they do? Magic happens.

This Susan B. Anthony Day writing activity connects past to present. It shows students that history isn’t just something that happened. It’s something they’re part of.

4. Host a “Failure to Success” Story Circle Discussion

Real talk. Susan B. Anthony failed a lot.

She was mocked. Threatened. Arrested. She worked for 50+ years and died before her goal was achieved.

Why this matters for students:

Kids today face enormous pressure to succeed immediately. Social media makes everyone else’s wins look effortless. Teaching the women’s suffrage movement shows them something crucial.

Progress is slow. Setbacks are normal. Quitting isn’t an option for things that matter.

How to run this discussion:

1. Share 3-4 major setbacks Anthony faced
2. Ask: “How do you think she felt?”
3. Discuss: “What kept her going?”
4. Connect: “When have you wanted to give up but didn’t?”

This works for all ages. I’ve seen kindergartners get this. I’ve seen high schoolers get emotional about it.

Discussion prompts that work:

• “What’s something you’re working toward that feels hard?”
• “Who helps you keep going when things get tough?”
• “What would Susan B. Anthony say to someone who wanted to quit?”

This Susan B. Anthony Day lesson plan builds resilience. It humanizes history. It creates connection.

5. Take a Virtual Field Trip to Susan B. Anthony’s Historic Home

Not everyone can get to Rochester, New York. But everyone can visit virtually.

The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House offers incredible resources for educators. Their website includes:

• Virtual tour options
• Primary source documents
• Lesson plan downloads
• Interactive exhibits

Pair the virtual visit with:

This educational activity for Susan B. Anthony Day brings her world alive. Students see where she lived. Where she was arrested. Where she strategized.

History becomes real when it has a place.

Bonus: Susan B. Anthony Day Craft Ideas for Younger Students

Little ones need hands-on learning. Here are three quick wins:

1. “Votes for Women” banner craft – Construction paper, markers, and passion
2. Paper doll Susan B. Anthony – Complete with her signature red shawl
3. Coin rubbing art – Using real Susan B. Anthony dollars (check your change!)

These Susan B. Anthony crafts for kids are perfect for pre-K through second grade. Simple. Meaningful. Instagram-worthy for your classroom account.

Final Thoughts: Making Susan B. Anthony Day Meaningful in 2026

Here’s what I’ve learned after 30 years of writing about American holidays.

The best celebrations aren’t about decorations. They’re about connection. They’re about helping students see themselves in history. They’re about showing kids that ordinary people change the world.

Susan B. Anthony wasn’t born special. She became special through action. Through persistence. Through refusing to accept “that’s just how things are.”

That’s a lesson every student needs.

So this February 15th—or the school day closest to it—give your students more than a worksheet. Give them an experience.

They’ll remember it.

Happy teaching, friends.

Did you find these Susan B. Anthony Day activities helpful? Save this post for February! And drop a comment below telling me which activity you’re most excited to try. I read every single one. ✨