Revolutionary Women In History Of The United States

The event that caught my interest after reading the chapters is “Revolutionary women”. The circle of legislative issues has been overlooking ladies as politically applicable subjects for a long period of time. This part of the textbook explains how different women had the courage and fought for the right of women- equality with men.

Deborah Sampson, daughter of a poor farmer, pretended to be a man and fought several battles for America. Lucy Knox, the wife of General Henry Knox, wrote a letter to her husband emphasizing her right as a woman. It also features Abigail Adams, a female activist. I find this interesting because I am a woman and it is sad to know that women did not have the same right as men.

In March 31, 1776, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband, John Adams, in Philadelphia, encouraging him and other individuals from the Continental Congress to remember the interests of women as they arranged to battle for American Independence. Abigail pleaded for equal rights in the letter, she wrote: “I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors…do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands” (Forner 248)

John Adams, however, dismissed his wife’s proposed exceptional laws. Her conviction was that ladies had consistently been mistreated by the men who constantly wanted to feel superior. This is quite disturbing because women need to have equal rights with men and the fight for equal rights by women has been a ceaseless struggle that continues in many parts of the world. Notwithstanding, such outright discrimination has since been discarded in numerous societies as women have been conceded similar constitutional rights with men.

More so, the concept of coverture remained active in the country after independence. Coverture is a “principle in English and American law that a married woman lost her legal identity, which became covered by that of her husband, who therefore controlled her person and the family’s economic resources.” (Forner 248). Lucy Knox, wrote a letter to her husband, General Henry Knox during the war, that when he returned home, he ought not to view himself as 'president of your own home.” It is sad that even after America’s Independence, women have limited American freedom as politics was still mainly a male domain.

During those times, it was argued that the men were the providers for the family and, so they had to find ways of fending for their families, men had all the privileges and power. The women, on the other hand, were born and raised to become housewives who are capable of taking care of their husbands well.

In conclusion, revolutionary women started creating better opportunity for success for all women. Gender equality has become less relevant in this era because both men and women are favored equally. Women are now allowed to partake in politics. Thanks to the brave actions of women like Abigail Adams, Lucy Knox, Sarah Reed, and Esther Franklin.