Two Influential Women
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, a very influential figure in the American Revolution. Although few women were involved in politics at the time of the 1700s, Abigail helped to shape her husband's ideas, just as he did about America's independence. Her influence on her husband was so strong that she was nicknamed "Mrs. President".
While Abigail Adams supported and encouraged freedom from England, she also instigated the rights for women and African Americans. She wrote to her husband, friends, and many participants of the Revolutionary War. In one letter she wrote, "I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors." Abigail did everything possible she could to push her country in the right direction. She fought for everything she believed in: freedom from England, abolishing slavery, and more rights for women. |
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.
Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could.
-Abigail Adams
Mary Hays McCauley
Mary Hays McCauley, otherwise known as Molly Pitcher, started out as a servant for wealthy families, caring for the children and nursing the sick and old. Once Mary's husband, John Hays, joined the war in December of 1775, she decided to go with her husband and become a camp follower. Mary assisted the soldiers with cooking, washing clothing and healing the sick or wounded.
At the Battle of Monmouth, Mary got her name "Molly Pitcher." While Mary was carrying water to thirsty soldiers, her husband collapsed and was unable to carry out his duties as a cannon-man. Through continuous cannonade, she took over her husband's artillery, and fired it for the rest of the battle.
Mary's courageous deed is why she is so well-known today.
At the Battle of Monmouth, Mary got her name "Molly Pitcher." While Mary was carrying water to thirsty soldiers, her husband collapsed and was unable to carry out his duties as a cannon-man. Through continuous cannonade, she took over her husband's artillery, and fired it for the rest of the battle.
Mary's courageous deed is why she is so well-known today.
Other Important Heroines
Deborah Sampson
After being born into a large, poor family and being adopted into different
families as an indentured servant, Deborah Sampson was intrigued by the thought of freedom. The war was supposed to be fought by men, but she thought differently. Pursuing her dream, she started creating a man's outfit and disguising herself as a man. Once she told her family she was leaving to find better wages, she hiked off with her disguise in a hay-sack. She walked to Medway, Massachusetts, where part of the Continental Arming was forming, and introduced herself as "Robert Shirtliffe." After serving for three years, she became seriously ill as the Revolutionary War was winding down. She was taken on horseback to a field hospital. While the doctor felt for a heartbeat, he found a tight bandage wrapped around the soldier's chest. Removing it, he discovered Deborah's long kept secret. Once she recovered from her illness, she was given an honorable discharge from the army. After restarting her life, marrying and finding a teaching job, she received a letter from President George Washington inviting her to visit the capital. There, Congress awarded her a pension, land and a letter thanking her for her remarkable services. |
Anna Green Winslow and Charity Clark
In 1766, as a war was just starting, Patriots all across the thirteen colonies started to boycott British goods. This meant no English clothes. So seventeen women and girls planned a rendezvous sat down in one house in Providence, Rhode Island and began to weave. More and more women began to join the movement, that soon "Patriotic sewing circles" were popping up all over New England.
In 1771, a twelve-year-old girl was sent to Boston by her father to get an education. But unlike the education her father thought she would get, her aunt and uncle taught her about politics and liberty, and so she began sewing in a Patriot circle with her aunt. From a girl who wore feathered hats and boosted about lavish parties began to spin feats for her own clothing. Charity Clark spun wool for her home in New York City. In one letter she wrote to her cousin in England, she said, "Heroines may not distinguish themselves at the head of an Army, but freedom will also be won by a fighting army of amazons...armed with spinning wheels." |
Poem for Sybil Ludington
History books have led you astray,
For they have thought it to be too blasé. Paul Revere took a midnight ride, But one brave girl has been denied. In the small village of Ludington Mills, Lived a girl named Sybil with many skills. There was a knock on the door one cool April night, An exhausted soldier warned of the impending fight. As Sybil listened intently, The Colonel spoke of his men’s assembly. A message had to be spread, But who was to deliver to the faraway tread? Despite the many dangers, Sybil volunteered her life for so many strangers. After short consideration, Sybil was sent off with a new vocation. |
For Sybil, the route was mapped out,
But she must be quick to spread the message throughout. With her surefooted horse, Star, Sybil rode through the night, near and far. With redcoats, darkness and rain all the way, Sybil Ludington was immersed with much dismay. In each village she pounded on every door And spread the alarm for the approaching war. When her shouts were heard, someone rang the bell, For this meant there was a starting rebel. Once the message finally got to Stormville, She was thanked for her goodwill. Her dangerous journey ended just as the grass had dew, Like Garcia, Sybil Ludington delivered the message, too. But still, this unlikely hero is not remembered, For Longfellow’s poem told of only one midnight member. |