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Period: to
Empowered Women throughout Time
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Mary Musgrove
Mary Musgrove, who was a native American Muskogee, (AKA Coosaponakeesa) became the first woman trader. She and her first husband set up trading posts that were major commerce centers. She kept peace between the Indians and British in her esteemed job as an interpreter for an Indian Chief. She owned much land that became legal issues later in life and after she married her third husband, she moved high up into the ranks of the colonial circles. (Georgia) -
Lydia Taft
Lydia Taft married her husband Josiah and they became one of the wealthiest families in the area. Her son died while away at school and after Josiah had returned from burying him, he too died, eleven days later. His death became pivotal in her life and women's suffrage because the townspeople allowed Lydia to vote ( a huge election regarding the French and Indian War). Her crucial vote was the first time a women not only voted, but made a difference in history. (Massachusetts) -
Philis Wheatley
Philis was a slave at age seven that happened to be sold to the Wheatley family, who taught her within one and a half years to read the bible, study latin and write poetry. She was published at age seventeen, introduced to royalty in London and wrote poems to George Washington, who wrote her back to thank her. She wrote of Muses and the bible and was the first black poet ever. She was examined because many thought she may not be a good poet, but she was the first black one. (Boston) -
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams began dating John when she was 17. Her letters to her husband (during their courtship and after marriage and his presidency) became world renown, although she never intended for that to occur. She believed women were as intelligent as men, used her humor to speak her mind regarding her cutting-edge political thoughts and her famous words penned to her husband regarding he "remember the ladies" has become a world wide term that women are equal to men. (Boston) -
Judith Sargent Murray
She wrote "On the Equality of the Sexes" and she rebutted the popular idea that women were born subordinate to men American. She, too, felt that women should be equal to men and that women should marry for MUTUAL love. She felt women could have a bigger societal role and increased culpability. Judith was not allowed to follow her brother's trail to Harvard due to women's ideas on education. She encouraged husband's to rouse their wives' brain as well as their hearts. ( Boston) -
Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth Seton became the first ever ecclesiastical saint in the United States. She founded the Sister Of Charity school and ran free Catholic schools to educate the poorer children. She became a widow with 5 children ( all under age 8) but because of her faith and beliefs, all 5 daughters went on to achieve great things. She wrote constantly, journaling, writing poems, instructions,diaries and hymns. She strongly believed in value-based education and made it happen. ( Baltimore) -
Susanna Haswell Rowson
Susanna was a playwright, actress, poet, writer and educator who supported unmarried mothers, education for women and women being raised using practical life skills, versus making decisions using emotions. She lived in England for many years but in 1797, she opened the first women's academy in Boston. She wrote for the Boston Weekly and felt women should be strong female role models, not needing a man or husband to rely on in life. Her books were labeled "seduction novels", based on their plots. -
Sarah Grimke
Sarah Grimké, although made history later in the 1830's, wrote of her abolitionist views, was a member of the "Society of Friends", spoke at large conferences with her sister Angelina, about her ideas that men and women were created equal. She debated with men, argued that women couldn't get the same education as men and and that whatever men could do, women could also do. Her "Letters of Equality" made a giant dent in the forefront of legitimizing women. (New York)
