Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was one of the most influential women in the eighteenth century. She was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts (which is just outside of Boston) on November 22, 1744. As a child Abigail was always sick. Her family on her mother's side was well educated. She had a very happy childhood. Her family was well off and had become established in influential circles in society. Her childhood helped her develop strong ideas and morals.
In the 1700s education was only available to men. Abigail found many problems with this situation. She, like other girls, received no formal education. Her parents taught her to read and write. Unlike other girls of the time she was lucky because her father enjoyed learning and allowed her access to his library. Her love of reading lead to her becoming one of the best-read women of her time. Although she was educated far better than most other girls there were still many gaps in her education. She felt that the injustice of not being as well educated as most men was unfair. These experiences paved the way for her fight for equal rights.
Women in the 1700s had little choice in what happened in their lives. In childhood their fathers made the decisions and in marriage their husbands made the decisions. Abigail understood and disliked the way a woman's role was limited. She had to start from the very beginning because she was the first woman to openly question women's rights. Many people didn't think Abigail was right. They strongly believed that God had intended men to be superior to women.
Abigail ambition started a movement that is still going on today. While her husband was writing the constitution she wrote many times to him suggesting that he should "Remember the Ladies". She laid the foundation for women's rights. Her struggles helped many young girls receive a better education making it possible for them to have better options in life. Women today still follow her example.
Abigail's efforts stirred feeling about what women could do. She proved that women were not going to sit back and let men take control of their lives. Her cause was important because of the effect it had on women's education. No longer do women only have one path to follow in life, thanks to Abigail Adams women today can strive to become whatever they wish.
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