Women_Founders

=**Women Founders**=

Women had more rights than many believed in colonial times and were involved in the Revolution as well.


 * Mary Ludwig Hayes:** Also known as Molly Pitcher. On a hot day in the Battle of Monmouth, she ran back and forth from the creek to bring water to soldiers. She also took her husband's place at a cannon when he was wounded. She served in the rest of the Revolution.


 * Martha Washington:** Was with her husband (George Washington) 50% of the time through the war (which showed her support for him and the Revolution). At Valley Forge, she knitted clothes for soldiers.


 * Abigail Adams:** Made the money for the family as a farmer (John Adams gave up his law practice to become a statesman). The Continental Congress put her on a committee to determine who was loyal and disloyal in the Revolution.


 * Deborah Samson:** Raised in poverty and an indentured servant, but later became a teacher in 1779. She enlisted in the Continental Army disguised as a man (called herself Robert Shirtliffe). She cut her hair and dressed like a man. When she was wounded, she treated herself in order to hide her gender, but was found out after getting the fever. Henry Knox gave her an honorable discharge and she was allowed to receive a pension.


 * Lydia Darrah:** Spied on the British and gave information to Patriots, which was a difficult choice for her because she was a Quaker and Quakers were pacifists. She saved numerous lives of colonists when she heard information of the British going to attack the winter quarters of the Continental Army at White Marsh. She was able to get the information to the Continental Army.


 * Phyllis Wheatley:** Brought to America at age 6 as a slave (captured in Senegal). She was adopted by a Christian family to keep her from going into slavery. She was the first black poet in America (started at age 12). She wrote a poem on George Whitefield and heroics of Washington, which were published.

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