In Abigail Adams's Own Words
“I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors.”
— Abigail Adams, Letter to John Adams, March 31, 1776
Abigail Adams wrote this to her husband John while he was serving at the Continental Congress, as the colonies moved toward independence. She asked him to keep women in mind when new laws were written, so that they would not be left with no say. It still fits today, because being remembered often starts with someone deciding to speak up kindly.
Who Was Abigail Adams?
Abigail Adams (1744 to 1818) was the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth. She had little formal schooling and educated herself by reading widely. While her husband was away on public business, she managed the family farm in Massachusetts. Her many letters, full of wit, opinion, and sharp observation, give a vivid view of the American Revolution and early republic. She is still read for her clear voice and her insistence on being heard.
Try This Today
Before your next gathering, choose your spot by the door and arrive there first. Greet each person by name within the first ten seconds, before any pet, child, or coat claims their attention. If someone skips you, say a cheerful hello of your own. Notice how quickly the whole room follows your lead when you set the tone.
Your Turn
Where in your daily life are you quietly waiting to be noticed, and what small step could you take to introduce yourself first?
Letters are composites written by the Lifted Words editors. Replies are written in the spirit of each thinker; the quote in the blue box is their own.