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Martha Washington -

Martha Washington was a widow and had two children when she married George Washington. Though she was not fully supportive of the move, Martha did become heavily involved when her husband became president, and indeed she became the first First Lady of the United States.

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Martha Washington -

Martha Washington is an important figure in American history and a cherished Founding Mother. “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances,” said Martha Washington.

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Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton -

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton was married to Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, who served as a member of staff in George Washington’s Continental Army.

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Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton -

As Hamilton's wife, she went on to help influence the development of the Constitution and the formation of the federal government.

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Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton -

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton also helped write her husband’s contributions to the 'Federalist Papers,' which were a collection of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution.

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Abigail Adams -

Adams is known to have corresponded with virtually all Founding Fathers. She went on to marry John Adams, becoming First Lady and his close advisor. 

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Abigail Adams -

Not only did Abigail Adams marry a president, she also became the mother of one: John Quincy Adams,

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Abigail Adams -

Abigail Adams left us numerous letters, which offer an insight into those defining years of American history.

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Sarah Livingston Jay -

The daughter of William Livingston (one of the men who signed the Constitution ) and the wife of Founding Father John Jay, Sarah Livingston Jay played a key role in diplomatic relations.

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Sarah Livingston Jay -

She would became First Lady of New York, and went on to work as a hostess and a member of George Washington's administration. Sarah Livingston Jay is often said to have had a prominent role in the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Jay Treaty with Great Britain.

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Dolley Madison -

Dolley Madison worked as a White House hostess during Thomas Jefferson's administration. She was in charge of state dinners and other functions, and even helped furnish the White House.

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Dolley Madison -

Dolley Madison went on to marry James Madison, the fourth US president. She continued to actively participate in the political sphere as a First Lady.

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Dolley Madison -

Madison was the only First Lady in the country's history to be conceded an honorary seat in the House of Representatives.

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Dolley Madison -

Dolley Madison also became known for ensuring the safety of Gilbert Stuart's 'Lansdowne portrait' (pictured) of George Washington when the British set fire to the White House in 1814.

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Betsy Ross -

Betsy Ross went down in history as the woman who made the first American flag, which is also known as the Betsy Ross flag.

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Betsy Ross -

Before that, Ross provided the Continental Army with a number of items via her upholstery business, including tents and blankets.

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Esther de Berdt Reed -

Reed formed the Ladies Association of Philadelphia, a political activist group that raised money for George Washington's Continental Army.

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Esther de Berdt Reed -

The Association raised a lot of money, and managed to make over 2,200 shirts for the troops. Unfortunately, Reed died before she could see the fruits of her project, which was then taken over by Benjamin Franklin's daughter, Sarah Franklin Bache.

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Mercy Otis Warren -

Mercy Otis Warren strongly supported the Patriotic cause in Boston. She is known to have corresponded with numerous Revolutionary leaders, and even served as hostess to their meetings in the city. Warren was also a poet and playwright, and she's particularly known for her political writing.

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Mercy Otis Warren -

Warren issued a pamphlet opposing the ratification of the Constitution and called for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. She continued to correspond and in some cases work as an advisor to many political figures, including John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and George Washington, to name a few.

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Phillis Wheatley -

Wheatley was kidnapped from West Africa when she was seven and brought to Massachusetts in 1761, where she was raised by the Wheatley family.

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Phillis Wheatley -

Not only was Phillis Wheatley the first published African-American poet, but she was also a supporter of American Independence. Wheatley even wrote a poem in honor of General Washington (before he became president).

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Mary Norris Dickinson -

Mary Norris Dickinson was married to one of the Founding Fathers, John Dickinson (pictured).

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Mary Norris Dickinson -

Mary Norris Dickinson, being a Quaker and believing that men and women are equal in the eyes of God, would engage in political discussions where usually women would not participate. She was also known for owning one of the largest libraries in the colonies.

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Deborah Sampson -

Sampson disguised herself as a man and fought in the American Revolution under the name Robert Shurtlieff.

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Deborah Sampson -

Sampson fought for 17 months, until her real identity was discovered when she required medical treatment.

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Mary Hays -

Hays, also known as Molly Pitcher, is best known for loading a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.

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Mary Hays -

General Washington awarded Hays a warrant as a non-commissioned officer. From then on, she was known as Sergeant Molly.

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Mary Katharine Goddard -

Goddard worked with her brother William Goddard (pictured) in a number of newspapers, and in 1774 she took over publication of the Maryland Journal. The newspaper is known to have supported the Patriots. 

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Mary Katharine Goddard -

Not only was Goddard one of the first female American publishers, later on she went on to become the postmaster of the Baltimore Post Office.

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Mary Katharine Goddard -

But Mary Katharine Goddard is best known for being the second printer to print the Declaration of Independence. Her print became known as the Goddard Broadside.

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Lucy Flucker Knox -

Lucy Flucker Knox is best known for being the wife of Henry Knox (pictured), who served as an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

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Lucy Flucker Knox -

Knox came from a Loyalist family, so she didn't receive any support in her decision to marry a Patriot. She did so anyway, and the couple had 13 children (though only three survived). Lucy Flucker Knox went on to fully support the Patriot’s cause.

Sources: (Women's Museum of California) (TopTenz) (WorldStrides) (ThoughtCo.)

See also: The most popular foods eaten in the 13 colonies

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