The struggle for women’s rights is as old as the struggle for American independence itself. Notably, Abigail Adams was one of the first female advocates who took a stand for equal gender rights. In a now-famous letter written to her husband, John Adams, in 1776, she urged him: 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. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation. Her words spurred him and the other members of the Continental Congress to assess women’s rights. Despite the fact that little change was made, she proved that women could have a voice in government.

[Women should] not hold [themselves] bound by any Laws in which [they] have no voice or Representation.

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.