-
Early Exposure to Enlightenment Ideas
- Mary witnessed her abusive father subject her mother to mistreatment
- Mary left the house at a young age driven by the desire for independence and leaving an oppressive environment
- Mary had the opportunity to attend a school where she encountered influential figures such as John Locke
- Mary knew she didn't want to live like her mother and found teachings that resonated deeply with her
-
Witnessing Sister's Abusive Marriage
- Mary not only protected her mother from her abusive father. She also tried to help her sister leave the abusive marriage she had, throughout life
- This personal experience of the consequences of women's powerlessness within the institution of marriage further motivated Mary to champion women's rights and advocate for the reform of marriage laws *Mary believed that women deserved the right to access the same educational opportunities as men https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wollstonecraft
-
Working as a Governess
- It was an experience that exposed her to the limitations and challenges faced by women of her social class. Governesses often had limited rights, low pay, and little social status
- This direct experience of the inequality and lack of opportunities for women in her society fueled her commitment to advocating for women's rights and education
-
Writing "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman"
- Perhaps the most significant event in Mary's life that contributed to her advocacy for gender equality *In this book, she argued passionately for women's rights to education, independence, and an active role in society. Her eloquent and persuasive writing made a profound impact on the feminist movement and helped lay the groundwork for future generations of women's rights activists https://www.biography.com/activists/mary-wollstonecraft https://hist259.web.unc.edu/marywollstonecraft/