A Lie Sent Her To Jail On Election Night
She printed a story that was true but a powerful man didn’t like it
Victoria Woodhull announced her candidacy for President on April 2, 1870, by writing an editorial for the New York Herald. But no one took her seriously, at the time, no political party endorsed her.
She made history on May 10, 1872. The newly formed Equal Rights Party formally nominated her to be President of the United States. They did this despite the fact that women were not allowed to vote yet.
Woodhull’s candidacy shocked the nation. Could a woman be President? Was this another grift from someone known for them?
As word spread, many people wondered if this was a serious campaign or one designed to keep another candidate from getting into office. While she was a politician, it does not appear that she played typical political games.
Before her pivot into Presidential politics, Woodhull had worked as a psychic and magnetic healer. Most people thought she was a charlatan, a lady who would do anything for a quick buck.
Once she was officially a candidate for the highest office in the land, there was another twist to her campaign. Woodhull announced that Frederick Douglass was her running mate. Though, he didn’t participate in any of…
