The Age of Enlightenment was a intellectual movement that emerged from the late 17th century and continued throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. It was stimulated by the scientific revolution, people began to look outside of religion for answers without fear of prosecution. It challenged the social structures including those of women. Although the Age of Reason was a male centered movement, many women still played active parts. During this time women had very little rights and limited access to education. Women were placed in such strong traditional roles as housewives and mothers, that it was only possible for highly educated women of elite status to break out and even then only with the help of their husbands or fathers. Women would
