The Role of Women in the Founding of the United States By Diana K. Douglas

A British soldier, evacuating New York said, even if the King’s soldiers defeated America’s men, they could never conquer American women.

Protesters Propagandists Boycotters Fundraisers Spinners Surrogate farmers Shopkeepers Nurses Washerwomen Spies Couriers Soldiers Bold slaves Brilliant intellectuals

1760s French & Indian War Debts – Britain tightened trade – Colonists protested with Boycotts Stamp Act Townshend Acts Success depended on Women – Primary purchasers and consumers of goods – Drop in profits made traders petition government to repeal Acts

Esther De Berdt Reed Born October 22, 1746 in London, England Died September 18, 1780 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Fundraisers Sarah Bache Called “Sally” by her father Married in 1767 Mother of seven children

Mammy Kate She was more than six feet tall, very strong, and absolutely fearless. In an old letter, written in 1820, she was referred to as, "the biggest, the tallest, the most imposing Negress I have ever seen and she has proven herself to be a strong, a kindly, a never failing friend to Colonel Heard and his family." Kate was of pure African blood and declared herself to be the daughter of a great king.

Deborah Sampson aka Private Robert Shirtliffe – Served honorable 1½ years – Saw battle – Wounded twice – Exposed by camp fever – Received veteran’s pension

Lydia Darragh – Middle-aged Quaker – Saved Washington’s troops from a deadly surprise attack in 1776 Sybil Luddington – Rode through the night – Mustered her father’s militia – For Connecticut defense

After the War Few radical changes for women Changes in gender ideology Leaders called on women to ensure continuance of republican ideals— schooled their sons 1780s & 1790s explosion of young women’s academies Beginning of gender revolution

Based on “’It was I Who Did It’: Women’s Role in the Founding of the Nation” by Carol Berkin, Phi Kappa Phi Forum, Summer 2006, pp