The Worlds of Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century

Martha Washington’s story, although unparalleled in many ways, provides a well-documented access point to a better understanding of women during the revolutionary and founding eras. Participants will engage in discussions surrounding the complexities of Martha Washington and the women of the 18th-century across race, culture, class, and identity. Participants will also discuss the connection between the founders’ inactions in addressing women's rights at the national level and the status of women in American Society in the 18th-century. 

Join teachers from around the country and engage with material culture, documents, and historical places that uncover the lives of 18th-century women of all backgrounds, as well as their contributions to the founding of the United States. Learn best practices, strategies, and resources to connect Martha Washington and her contemporaries to the broader subject of women’s history.