WOMEN and the REVOLUTION

Women and the American Revolution
St. Paul’s, Saturday, March 14, 1 pm

The experiences of women during the American Revolution were diverse, with the war impacting the lives of women in varying degrees across the landscape of the 13 states. This was not a distant, overseas conflict, where civilians followed the progress as engaged home-front observers. The Revolutionary War was a long struggle, right here, in the new nation, in a small, contained geographic area. In addition to the major battles, it involved countless local engagements, deep divisions between Loyalist and Patriots, disruption of daily lives and routines, sacrifice, violence and displacement. As a result, the revolution impacted the lives of women in many ways.

Experiences even differed among the prominent women who have come down to us as major historical figures, including two future First Ladies. Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, struggled with an array of family, financial and personal challenges on her own, while her husband was away on political and diplomatic missions. Martha Washington joined the general at winter encampments at Morristown, Valley Forge and other frigid sometimes desperate places. Peggy Shippen Arnold, a teenage wife, struggled to understand and eventually accommodate her husband’s deep sense that he was not appreciated by the American cause at a time of a seemingly stalemated war. In our area, on a lesser known but equally significant level, Phoebe Ward tried to sustain her large family and navigate her husband’s political choices on the dangerous “neutral ground”. Anna Ward was one of many Black women who struggled with how the disruption of war could facilitate her personal freedom, and that of her daughter.

The compelling stories of these women come to life, in “Women and the American Revolution,” a free special program at St. Paul’s on Saturday, March 14, 1 PM. The public is invited to attend.

St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site
897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY
914-667-4116 www.nps.gov/sapa

There appears to be a small parking lot on site along with