Mary Wollstonecraft
During the 18th century Enlightenment, intellectuals started to question the authority of religion over society. Some women also joined the discussion. In her A Vindication of the rights of women, English writer Mary Wollstonecraft made an indictment against the authority of men over women. She wrote that women were equal to men in ability. In her view, men accomplished more in society because it was much more difficult for women to get a good education. Once women would be educated as well as men, they would be able to have their own independent lives: “I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.” The publication of A Vindication caused considerable controversy but failed to bring about any immediate reforms.
