Throughout history, women’s impact in society has drastically changed. In the past, women did not receive the same education as men did. Women also dealt with the practice of coverture, which gave away their legal identity once they became married. There was also a point in time where women could not vote. After the Revolutionary War ended, the concept of “Republican Motherhood” impacted women like never before in history. Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, and Dolley Madison are examples of three women who made significant differences for the status of women in the 1700’s.
On March 31, 1776, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband John Adams telling him not to overlook women fighting for America’s …show more content…
After the war ended, there was a new expectation that formed called “Republican Motherhood” (History of Women). Republican Motherhood presented women the opportunity to pursue an education and partake in civic culture (History of Women). An important person involved with Republican Motherhood was Judith Sargent Murray. Murray had radical views on education for women and stressed the teachings of women’s past accomplishments to start empowering them (History of Women). This new idea of Republican Motherhood gave women the chance to pursue new opportunities they once had not had before. Republican Motherhood also gave women a chance to contribute in politics without being scorned and treated with resentment and seen by others being committed to their families and raising a patriotic son (History of Women). American citizens started to see education of women would be a way to prepare the new country and its citizens for success (History of Women). The Revolutionary War was a turning point for women becoming more …show more content…
Dolley Madison was one of the first lady’s to have an important role within the American government. Dolley Madison was the wife of President James Madison. She was well liked and well known among the capital city of Philadelphia and had a busy social schedule, which included hosting the wives of foreign ministers (Letters). Due to her popularity, Thomas Jefferson asked Dolley to serve as his secretary of state in 1800 (Bio, 2014). Frequently, Jefferson would call upon Dolley to serve as his first lady at official functions (Madison Project, 2014). After Jefferson left office, she would serve as first lady to James Madison. Dolley is known for ordering the White House staff to save a portrait of first president George Washington from the British army coming to attack the capital (Madison Project, 2014). Dolley Madison made a significant contribution in how the first lady is involved within the