CONCLUSION
“She was a light in the age in which she lived.
After three years incessant labour she obtained from the
Legislature of New York in the year 1818 the first law, ever
Enacted, in any country which gives to married women rights
Over their children and property. This law has since been amended and adopted by most of the states of the Union.
Women call her Blessed.
Eunice Chapman was a feminist before her time: she just didn’t know the term. The definition of feminism is “Belief in or advocacy of women’s social, political, and economic rights, especially with regard to equality of sexes.” (Farlex) The definition of women’s suffrage is also about “The struggle to achieve equal rights for women…” (Grollier) When doing research …show more content…
In the early 1800’s women were expected to be very proper, demur and genteel, not robustly outspoken or demonstrative. Eunice had to challenge those social values of the era in order to take on the Shakers for the return of her children.
She also had to “speak up” by publishing her book, “An Account of the Conduct of the People Called Shakers” when there were few lady authors in the world at that time. She boldly presented the book to the legislature, which definitely worked to her advantage in passing her bill and conquering the Shakers.
As for the economical aspect of her bill, married women were now allowed property rights and if a divorce did occur, especially if it had to do with a husband entering the Shaker religion, a woman’s status went back to a “women alone”. She would no longer be civilly dead.
She finally wins back her children, George, by force, but the girls by law. The Believers have had enough of Eunice and Eunice has had enough of them.
Eunice Hawley Chapman – a feminist, a heroine, a mother?
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path” - Agatha
“She was a light in the age in which she lived.
After three years incessant labour she obtained from the
Legislature of New York in the year 1818 the first law, ever
Enacted, in any country which gives to married women rights
Over their children and property. This law has since been amended and adopted by most of the states of the Union.
Women call her Blessed.
Eunice Chapman was a feminist before her time: she just didn’t know the term. The definition of feminism is “Belief in or advocacy of women’s social, political, and economic rights, especially with regard to equality of sexes.” (Farlex) The definition of women’s suffrage is also about “The struggle to achieve equal rights for women…” (Grollier) When doing research …show more content…
In the early 1800’s women were expected to be very proper, demur and genteel, not robustly outspoken or demonstrative. Eunice had to challenge those social values of the era in order to take on the Shakers for the return of her children.
She also had to “speak up” by publishing her book, “An Account of the Conduct of the People Called Shakers” when there were few lady authors in the world at that time. She boldly presented the book to the legislature, which definitely worked to her advantage in passing her bill and conquering the Shakers.
As for the economical aspect of her bill, married women were now allowed property rights and if a divorce did occur, especially if it had to do with a husband entering the Shaker religion, a woman’s status went back to a “women alone”. She would no longer be civilly dead.
She finally wins back her children, George, by force, but the girls by law. The Believers have had enough of Eunice and Eunice has had enough of them.
Eunice Hawley Chapman – a feminist, a heroine, a mother?
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path” - Agatha