Historic Heroines: American Revolutionaries
Posted on July 2, 2021
by Jozlyn H
Women played many critical roles in the American Revolution and resulting War of Independence. From delegates’ wives to camp followers, to spies, women were a formidable force during the early days of the United States. Read along and discover some of the famed women who helped form our country.
Abigail Adams
Not just your average Abby! Abigail Adams was a leader in her own respect. Of course, married to a strong, intelligent man, she was able to use her skills to further the cause. Abigail is famously remembered for writing to her husband, John, while he was meeting with the Continental Congress, trying for form a government and reminding him to “remember the ladies” or they too, would have a revolution of their own. Abigail was the first women to officially be bestowed the title “First Lady of the United States of America” as she was married to our second president, John Adams. They were the first presidential family to reside in the White House.
Abigail Adams
The Fifth of March
Dear Abigail: The Intimate Lives and Revolutionary Ideas of Abigail Adams and Her Two Remarkable Sisters
Patriot Hearts: A Novel of the Founding Mothers
Anna Strong
Anna Strong was an important spy in the Culper Ring network. She utilized her husband’s tavern as her grounds of information in Setauket, NY. Anna lived up to her name, bravely passing signals to her counterparts through the laundry that she hung on her line that day. Anna was one of the first women to be used as a spy, since men were so conspicuous. It was less suspicious to get information from a lady spy. Read more about Anna’s story in these books and from the show, Turn!
Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring
Turn: Washington’s Spies
Betsy Ross
Famed American Patriot, Betsy Ross is credited with sewing the first stars and stripes flag. Betsy’s grandson revealed the story of General George Washington calling upon Betsy to sew the flags. Upon seeing the idea that Washington and the Continental Congress had made, Betsy pushed for a five-pointed star instead of the six-pointed star they planned because its much faster to cut out a five pointed one. The idea was adopted, and the flags were flying. Sewing the flags was a very dangerous business for Betsy and her family. If the British caught them, it was considered treason against the crown.
Betsy Ross and the Making of America
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