What important thing did Abigail Adams do?

Answer 1

Abigail Adams was a First Lady who was known for having very modern views on a number of subjects, including education for girls, and education for black children. (She had never been given a formal education, but she loved to read and believed everyone should have access to more education.) She wrote many letters to her husband John, advising him about current issues and expressing her opinions. While this may not sound very remarkable, back then women's opinions were rarely sought, and only about the home. But Abigail and John seemed to have a very rare and special relationship, and they discussed a number of issues in addition to domestic matters.

While still a traditionalist about the roles of men and women, she was one of the earliest advocates for more rights for married women -- under the laws of that time, a married woman was legally the property of her husband, and Abigail wanted an expansion of women's rights so that if their husband was a tyrant, there would be some remedy for the situation.

Abigail revealed her strength as a woman before becoming a First Lady. There were many, many wives like Abigail Adams who were completely responsible for their family's welfare, homes, farms, businesses and financial support while their husbands were engaged in the development of American government. They were invaluable advisors to their husbands, collected the political news for them and kept them informed through a system of letter writing, all while their husbands were away from home for long periods of time- years at a time. They were given heavy responsibilities, were the backbone of America and yet, their husbands would not even consider giving them equal status as citizens. Abigail constantly reminded her husband of the need for more legal rights for women but that request went unfulfilled.

Answer 2

She helped both boys and girls have a formal education, helped her husband John Adams as president, and was against slavery.