1. The Enlightenment: Astell & Wollstonecraft
How do women influence the Enlightenment?

2. Mary Astell 1666-1731, born in England
Believed in equal rights for women
Wrote A Serious Proposal to the Ladies
Influences: Early Women’s rights movements
Astell argues there is an unequal relationship between men & women that the Enlightenment doesn’t address
Discusses the serious lack of educational opportunities for women
Quote: “If all men are born free, how is it that women are born slaves?” (critical of Locke)
Known as the First Feminist
Astell’s ideas not widely read, but had some infl.

3. Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797, born in Britain (England)
Believed in gender equality and co-education
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women
Influences: Co-education, 19th Amendment, Title IX
Most women had a basic education and were told reading encourages wickedness
Wollstonecraft urged women to read arguing that Enlightenment should apply to both men & women.
Philosophers like Rousseau argued strongly for education but said that girls should be educated on how to be a helpful wife & mother
She wrote that women’s education should not be secondary to men’s
She urged women to enter male-dominated fields allowing Women to become productive members of society
Reflection: Does today’s western society believe in the ideas of Wollstonecraft & Astell?