Too often in society women are belittled because of their gender, despite their numerous abilities and achievements. Women all over the world fall victims, and struggle to become survivors, of inequality against their male counterparts. Although some improvements have been made over time, there is still much progress to be done in order to establish an equality between men and women in all aspects of life, not just in a few token areas. During the eighteenth century, a few women became advocates for women’s rights and fought for individual freedoms that were attainable for men but rarely for women. One of these advocates was Abigail Adams, first lady to the second President, John Adams. Abigail, a devout wife and American citizen, was more than just a first lady to the president. She was an early feminist voice who refused to stand by and allow women to be suppressed of their capabilities and their rights.
In order to comprehend why Abigail felt so strongly and fought so vigorously for her beliefs, it is important first to understand how her beliefs became rooted. Abigail was the second out of four children from William Smith and Elizabeth Quincy. Her father was a minister of North Parish Congregational Church of Weymouth in Massachusetts colony; her mother Elizabeth was a typical housewife and mother. Abigail was fortunate enough to be born into such an eminent family in New England with a prosperous lineage of statesman, ministers, and merchants. She was raised in a household that wholeheartedly affirmed the beliefs of rational Puritanism, a solid Christian faith, and a strong education.1
From an early age, Abigail was introduced to the limitations of women by being unable to attend school. Growing up in the eighteenth century, education was highly sought after; however, education was primarily for boys, not girls. Boys had the opportunity to study various subjects, such as Latin, math, French, literature, and Greek. Elite families often prepared their boys to receive a higher education, either at Harvard College or abroad. Since girls were not permitted to attend school, Abigail was educated at home. Though her education did include some rudimentary training in academic areas such as reading and writing, most of her education focused on becoming a traditional housewife and mother. She observed her mother in common domestic skills such as sewing, cooking, and home maintenance.2
Her most significant influence occurred around the time of the Revolutionary War, which was a time of extreme stress and chaos for the young republic. This was a time when participation of every American became absolutely imperative in order to win not only the war, but also to restructure the country afterwards. Despite the circumstances, the social conditions for women went largely unchanged. During the Revolutionary War, while many of the men were away serving the war effort, the women were left in charge of the businesses and farms. The towns and cities were left with impoverished women who were often driven to lead protests and riots against price increases, as well as resorting to looting for food. In other parts of the country, women began to fight back against British troops, whom they were forced to quarter during the war. Some women either by choice, force, or desperation, traveled to the Patriot army camps to live with their male relatives.3
After the women began migrating to the camps, many men became hostile and voiced brutal complaints against the women. One man even expressed a barbarous comment about women, claiming “their falling, their brows beady with the heat, their belongings, slung over one shoulder, chattering and yelling in sluttish shrills as they went.”4 George Washington himself even believed the females to be disruptive and a distraction to the troops. In reality, women were actually a great asset and made major contributions towards the war effort. Most women performed domestic duties such as cooking, laundry, nursing, and even boosting the morale of the soldiers. Some women went beyond the normal expectations and became involved in the combat.5
By the end of the war, the views and standards of women had remained the same as at the outset. Many women began to question their place in society, including Abigail Adams. As early as March 31, 1776, while her husband was in Philadelphia forming a new government, Abigail wrote a letter to her husband, John, imploring him to expand women’s rights to become equal with the rights of men:
I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.6
Abigail was making her purpose clear and made sure it was known that women would no longer stand for unfair and unjust treatment.
Abigail continued to fight for the rights of women for the rest of her life. Although she was most known for her strong tone in her letters, she was also a major advocate for the right of education for women. Abigail became one of the most literate and politically-powerful women of her time.7 Her ideals, courage to voice her intellectual opinions, and ability to stand up for her beliefs is what established the main attraction between her and John. Abigail was able to maintain the perfect image of the domestic housewife, mother, and First Lady to the President of the United States. Abigail tread a path for women which is still being followed today. Hopefully her beliefs and visions for the equality of women will one day come true.
- Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2016, s.v. “Abigail Adams” by Mary E. Virginia. ↵
- Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2016, s.v. “Abigail Adams” by Mary E. Virginia. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past Volume 1, 15 edition (New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015), 147. ↵
- Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past, 147. ↵
- Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past, 147. ↵
- Abigail Adams, “Abigail Adams’ Letters to John Adams March 31, 1776,” Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/. ↵
- Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2016, s.v. “Abigail Adams” by Mary E. Virginia. ↵
This Post Has 44 Comments
I really enjoyed this article! For my research project for HS 2322 I am focusing on women’s impact on history specifically the women from Hidden Figures, so I throughly enjoyed reading this. I find Abigail Adams to be so inspiring and awesome. She was always so vocal and involved at a time when women weren’t suppose to be. It’s interesting to see how much of an impact women have had throughout history compared to the credit given to them. Remember the ladies is one of my favorite stories in American history!
It’s amazing to see just how far women’s rights have come since the founding of the nation. While the differences between then and now are clear, so are the stark similarities. Gender inequality is still very much prevalent in our society, much like it was in the eighteenth century. Women may be able to work now, but there is still a wage gap. Women may be able to get an education now, but there is still a predominantly male enrollment of men in STEM degrees. Women may be able to do more than just be a house wife these days, but there is still a domestic mindset being taught to young girls in most households. It’s also interesting to note that the high female participation encouraged in the Revolutionary War while the men went off to fight mirrors that of a war almost two centuries later: World War II.
Feminism and women’s rights has come a long way, but it still has a long way to go. After all, it’s barely been a century since we got the right to vote. I’m glad for women like Abigail Adams. Without women like her, there would be no difference between now and then at all.
I think the early struggle for Women’s rights is one that is often overlooked in the US History books. Perhaps it is by design, since many of the founding fathers were misogynistic idiots who tried to leave women’s rights out of the constitution. Thank God for the group that allowed Amendments to be added to the constitution, which allowed for the eventual addition of the nineteenth amendment to the constitution. However, Women like Abigail Adams deserve a special place in the history books for their contribution to America and the country as a whole, and it seems like they are almost always unfairly left out.
Women’s rights have always been challenged. I’ve enjoyed getting to know that John Adams had a wife who not only was committed to him but committed to make her voice known. Strong women have just recently began to become an importance in the history we come from. It is great to see that women have always made the push to make sure their voices are heard. Women have always been the puppeteer behind the strings. Women have always been mens confidant, wither they want to admit it or not. At the end of a day, a man goes and lays his troubles on a women and that women has the obligation to give their advice. Its also great to see the difference in how it has taken many decades to see the recognition women deserve in how they care for others. Great article.