Colonial American Women Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Colonial American Women - Essay Example Hutchinson and Adams were both daughters of clergymen that risked their well being to speak out against male tyranny. However, while Hutchinson used religion to change society Adams used a more indirect approach. Hutchinson was born into the 17th century Puritan society where women were not allowed to be clergymen or magistrates. Her open defiance against female preachers opened the doors to religious tolerance and paved the way for women's rights. John Winthrop described her religious meetings as a, "thing not tolerable nor comely in the sight of God, nor fitting for your sex" (qtd. in Gomes). Hutchinson's quest for equality had raised the anger of her community and alienated her from her clergy based family. Adams, the wife of the second president John Adams, was able to influence her husband while he was a member of the Continental Congress. In a letter dated March 31, 1776 she writes, "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 indicate the level of the growing discontent. Though her vision of equality would not be immediately realized, the constitution would contain the provisions for its future.