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The Enlightenment: Astell & Wollstonecraft. How do women influence the Enlightenment?. Mary Astell 1666-1731, born in England Committed to equal rights for women Wrote A Serious Proposal to the Ladies Influences: Early Women’s rights movements
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The Enlightenment:Astell & Wollstonecraft How do women influence the Enlightenment?
Mary Astell • 1666-1731, born in England • Committed to equal rights for women • Wrote A Serious Proposal to the Ladies • Influences: Early Women’s rights movements • Astell argues there is an unequal relationship between men & women that the Enlightenment doesn’t address • Discusses the serious lack of educational opportunities for women • Quote: “If all men are born free, how is it that women are born slaves?” (critical of Locke) • Nicknamed First Feminist • Astell’s ideas influence Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft • 1759-1797, born in Britain (England) • Committed to gender equality and co-education • Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women • Influences: Co-education, 19th Amendment, Title IX • During this period, many males scolded women for reading because it would encourage wickedness • Wollstonecraft urged women to read arguing that Enlightenment should apply to both men & women. • Philosophers like Rousseau argued strongly for education but said that girls should be educated on how to be a helpful wife & mother • She wrote that women’s education should not be secondary to men’s • She urged women to enter male-dominated fields allowing Women to become productive members of society Q: Does today’s society believe in the ideas of Wollstonecraft & Astell?