Josephine Elizabeth Grey Butler stated that the women's economic position was met with a "conspiracy of silence." In "The Education and Employment of Women," she stated, "Formerly muscles did the business of the world, and the weak were protected by the strong; now brains do the business of the world, and the weak are protected by law." She believed that the plight of women must not be ignored and rallied for change in the perception and direction of women's rights
Women weren't the only proponents of women's rights in the 19th century. By this time, the cry for the equality and fair treatment of both sexes began to reach the ears of men as well. Among the most notable of these men was John Stuart Mill. In his essay, "The Subjection of Women," Mill contested that the basis for men having domain over women is -- if such a basis ever existed -- null and void in this day and age. "If the authority of men over women...had been the result of a conscientious comparison [that it was the best]...have subsequently, in the course of ages, ceased to exist."
Jane G. Swisshelm's narrative account of her own life describes her views on the characteristics of slavery, women's rights and the Mexican-American War. Her progressive attitude and literary prowess amassed a following of readers, leading to her abolitionist paper entitled "The Democrat." In her paper, Swisshelm discussed "legal disabilities" of women, among other topics.
Alfred Tennyson's image and career was the stuff of legends in the 19th century. He was greatly respected as a poet and was even considered somewhat of a prophet. He voiced his progressive views freely and widely. His work "The Woman's Cause Is Man's" from "The Princess," established him as one the first men to acknowledge women's rights, and helped give credence to the suffragist movement. "Seeing either sex alone is half itself," wrote Tennyson.