Important Women in American History

Over the centuries, there have been several women who have made monumental contributions to the rights we enjoy today as citizens of the United States. From Louisa May Alcott's progressive writing, to Lucy Stone's decision to keep her own name to Susan B. Anthony's fight for women's suffrage there have been hundred's of women that have paved the way for us today. While I can't credit our predecessor's enough I can briefly talk about a few women that I greatly respect.

Louisa May Alcott was born November 29, 1832 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Louisa's family took a strong interest in education, her father forming the Temple School in Boston, and her mother an early supporter in women's suffrage. To help with her family's financial struggle Louisa worked a number of jobs, one of which was writing short stories for magazines.

During the Civil War, Louisa was a nurse and would later write "Hospital Sketches" which served not only to propel her popularity, but to publicize women's role in the war. At 35 years old, Louisa was commissioned to write a book for girls. Her book "Little Women" is loosely based on her family. The title character, Jo March, is based on Louisa herself. Jo, is the first feminist to appear in literature.

Over Louisa's life she was a strong proponent of women's rights and the abolition of slavery. Louisa May Alcott wrote and published over 30 books and short stories that served to make public her ultra feminist and moralistic outlook on society.

Another influential women in history is Lucy Stone. Lucy Stone was born in 1818 and survived in a family surrounded by inequality. Her brother, slower than herself was handed and education and her mother, a hard working woman was denied any right in the own family. Her father ruled by "divine right." When Lucy challenged his authority he quoted her bible verses. She said she would learn Greek and Hebrew to correct the bible's mistranslations.