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As the great Birgham Young said, “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation”. These words could not have better painted the picture of how women felt in America in 1776 amidst the great American Revolution. At the time the ideas of human rights, liberty and independence were being pursued by white men, however women's rights were merely brushed off. The source introduces a feminist ideology and approach to rights issue in precise manner of friendly correspondence between a wife and her husband. The tone of the writing is affirmative, friendly, yet determined. This quality of voice speaks of the resilience of the writer, and other women of her era, who were fighting of an equality agenda in the age of liberation. In many ways, Abigail presents the discourse of equal rights as an urgent issue which women pursue relentlessly in their private and public life. Although ideas such as Republican Motherhood was an attempt in the right direction, this letter gave a better insight into the greater concept of realizing human rights and the fundamental ideals of feminism.
Through this correspondence, Abigail presents a unique perspective on the foundation of American rights and the general political system. Abigail was the wife of the second president of America, John Adams. She was a feminist in an age where many women lead oppressed private lives and had no intention or capacity to fight for their inherent freedoms. She was an empowered women of the 18 th century, who dealt equally with her husband. Abigail refers to her spouse as a friend, and uses her feminine charm to prompt his understanding of the importance of such relations between men and women. In as much as she identifies her position of privilege since she enjoys equal rights, Abigail is conscious of the forceful nature of fighting for collective rights. She argues, “if particular care is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion…” (Abigail Adams). Abigail, therefore is presented an active voice of reason pushing for the rights of oppressed women, including those who did not realize that they were living under patriarchal domination. Abigail's declaration of rebellion if not provided with inalienable and equal rights shows that at the time many women were aware of this issue and were willing to take a stand. Abigail's words show the hypocrisy in which the white men were fighting for in the rebellion against England, and this realization of human rights was a key part in the feminst movement.
Moving forward, Abigail highlights the fundamental ideals and demands of feminism. Abigail’s personality as a socially and politically conscious individual is one that subconsciously drive any successful fight for women's rights today. Her demands are brief and to the point, women should have a “voice and representation” (Abigail Adams). Even so, she realizes that it takes great political will and cooperation with the men to realize such objectives. Abigail is clear about the purpose of laws in this fights. In fact, her proposition is that, while her husband pushes for social equality through encouraging friendly, rather than master-servant relationships among couples, he should institute a “new code of laws which advances equality.” To her, the fight for women's rights was to run hand-in-hand with the state’s fight for independence and political liberation.
In conclusion, Abigail’s letter is a powerful instrument of political and social discourse regarding the rights of women and their abilities to influence growth in the society today. This letter, together with her other correspondence with her husband in the 18 th century is true evidence of wielding power within femininity and the implications of the drive to self-actualize as empowered members of society, both in the social, political, cultural and economic spheres of life. She remains an important figurative point of reference in the continuing right for equality of the genders today.
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