Not for Ourselves Alone essays

Not for Ourselves Alone essays In many ways, women were not allowed to play an important role in society during the 1770s. For the most part, it was illegal for women to receive any form of higher education. Thus, their involvement in the affairs of government was very limited, including of course, that they were not allowed to vote, but the voice of the women could not be ignored. Abigail Adams helped plant the seeds that would start women and men thinking about women's rights and roles in a country that had been founded on the ideals of equality and independence. She was a small town girl who traveled the world. She had no education, but she is known for writing letters. She grew up serving men but she ended up strongly challenging the male controlled system. This is the story of Abigail Adams, a most unusual Revolutionary era woman. Abigail Adams was born in 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She had two sisters, and one brother. She was never able to go to school because she was often, sick and her parents were afraid to send her. Abigails father, Reverend William Smith, was the town minister of Weymouth. He taught Abigail to love books and reading. Abigails mother, Elizabeth Quincy Smith, came from a family of local community leaders. Hearing conversations in her home about the growing tension in the relationship between the American colonies and England, made Abigail curious about political issues. She began to read newspapers and ask questions. At age 17, she became interested in a young lawyer named John Adams who had begun to visit her fathers library.1 In 1764, just before her 20th birthday, Abigail was married to John Adams and settled in Braintree near her family. A year later, Abigail and John had their first child; she was nicknamed, Nabby. In 1767, they had their first son; he was named John Quincy. Abigail moved to Boston right after John Quincy had his first birthday. She wanted to be with John in th...