Did You Know?

Meet 11 Founding Mothers of the United States

Do you think there are “Founding Mothers”? The birth of our nation is often attributed to men we call “Founding Fathers.” In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’d like to spotlight a few of the women who made distinct contributions that helped shape our country in its formative years. To all these women, these Founding Mothers – along with all mothers across the world today – we say Happy Mother’s Day!

Pocahontas (1595-1617)

“She hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save mine.”

The daughter of a Powhatan chief, Pocahontas is well-known for saving Englishman John Smith from execution in the early 17th century, though the veracity of this story is disputed. She later took the name Rebecca, which may be a reference to the biblical Rebecca, who was the “mother of two nations.”

Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814)

“The waves have rolled upon me, the billows are repeatedly broken over me, yet I am not sunk down.”

Warren was a propagandist who published the pro-revolution pamphlet Observations of the New Constitution under a pseudonym. Her great-great grandson later verified that she was the author, long after her death. She also wrote one of the first histories of the Revolution, and the first by a woman.

Martha Washington (1731-1802)

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.”

Of course! Wife of George, Martha Washington was the first First Lady of the United States. She stayed at her husband’s winter encampments during the Revolutionary War, and he considered her essential to the war effort. As First Lady, she hosted a weekly reception at the White House, and her conduct as a socialite would set the standard for future First Ladies.

Abigail Adams (1744-1818)

“If we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women.”

Adams was the second First Lady of the United States and the closest advisor to her husband, President John Adams. She was self-educated and a strong proponent of women’s rights, and she advocated for girls’ education to be equal to boys’.

Betsy Ross (1752-1836)

“Today the American knight holds the commercial supremacy of the world.”

You probably know Betsy Ross as the woman who created the American flag. It’s said that she received a visit from George Washington with a request to sew a flag with six-pointed stars. She designed it, and some would say improved it, by creating instead five-pointed stars instead. 

Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)

“In every human Beast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance.”

Wheatley was the first African-American female poet to have her work published. She lived as a slave for the Wheatley family, who taught her how to read and write, and her work was praised by George Washington.

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1757-1854)

“I relish being your wife. Look around, look around…” (Ok, so maybe she didn’t really say this, but this one is from the musical Hamilton!)

Schuyler helped her husband Alexander Hamilton publish his political writings, including The Federalist Papers. Later, she co-founded the first private orphanage in New York City and remained involved in the organization’s leadership for 42 years.

Dolley Madison (1768-1849)

“I have always been an advocate for fighting when assailed.”

The fourth First Lady of the United States, Madison is known for saving the portrait of George Washington and a copy of the Declaration of Independence before the British burned down the White House in 1812. Before the burning, she stood on the White House roof with a spyglass to watch the British approach.

The female fighters in the Revolutionary War (War: 1775-1783)

“Why can I not fight for my country too?”

Did you know there were women who fought in the Revolutionary War? The list includes Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man; Nancy Morgan Hurt, who is known for killing Tory soldiers; and Margaret Corbin, who worked a cannon in battle after her husband was injured.

Love American history? Our tours in Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg , Philadelphia, Boston, and other East Coast cities walk in the footsteps of these founding mothers (and their husband’s too!).