In honor of Women's History Month, we decided to highlight the most important acts, people and events that enabled women to achieve our freedom and help clear the way for, one day, ultimate equality. While we still may have a long way to go, these women got us to where we are today. For them, we are thankful.
1777
Hannah Adams reigns as one of the first women to step in the right direction towards our current career freedom. In a time where the only possible jobs for a woman to have were those of cooking, cleaning and having children, otherwise known as a "wife," Adams was able to support herself through her writing. When her father became bankrupt when she was only 17 years old, her and her siblings had to find a way to financially support themselves. It was then she began writing. Creating only a few mostly religious works, she is cited to be the first woman to make "...literature a profession."
1826
New York and Boston take the lead in the academic race to educate not only boys but girls also. The first public schools for girls are now open for business.
1838
Education for women progresses as the first all women's college is established in Massachusetts. Mount Holyoke is still an all-girls college today.
1848
A little convention is organized in upstate New York-- otherwise known as Seneca Falls convention. It only took place for one day, yet it was deemed by some "the birthplace of feminism." The leaders including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a feminist who refused to say "obey" in her marriage vows, drafted the Declaration of Sentiments. This document was based off the nations own founding papers the Declaration of Independence and promoted and preached women's rights for equality and freedom. Primary author Stanton decided to take all the references to "King George" (who was blamed for all the injustices and wrongdoings against American citizens in the Declaration of Independence), and changed it to read "all men." In the end the Declaration was signed by not only 68 women but also 32 men!
1777
Hannah Adams reigns as one of the first women to step in the right direction towards our current career freedom. In a time where the only possible jobs for a woman to have were those of cooking, cleaning and having children, otherwise known as a "wife," Adams was able to support herself through her writing. When her father became bankrupt when she was only 17 years old, her and her siblings had to find a way to financially support themselves. It was then she began writing. Creating only a few mostly religious works, she is cited to be the first woman to make "...literature a profession."1826
New York and Boston take the lead in the academic race to educate not only boys but girls also. The first public schools for girls are now open for business.
1838
Education for women progresses as the first all women's college is established in Massachusetts. Mount Holyoke is still an all-girls college today.
1848
A little convention is organized in upstate New York-- otherwise known as Seneca Falls convention. It only took place for one day, yet it was deemed by some "the birthplace of feminism." The leaders including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a feminist who refused to say "obey" in her marriage vows, drafted the Declaration of Sentiments. This document was based off the nations own founding papers the Declaration of Independence and promoted and preached women's rights for equality and freedom. Primary author Stanton decided to take all the references to "King George" (who was blamed for all the injustices and wrongdoings against American citizens in the Declaration of Independence), and changed it to read "all men." In the end the Declaration was signed by not only 68 women but also 32 men! 