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America’s Founding Women
4 hours and 6 minutes
Many of us are intimately familiar with the stories of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America; we know their names and we revere their contributions to history. Women, on the other hand, have often been discussed on the peripheries of sweeping historical narratives, including the era of the American Revolution and the early decades of the nation’s founding. But the work of gender historians over the past 50 years has brought the stories of women out of the shadows and into the light. As you will see through the women that you will meet in this course—including Elizabeth Oliver Watson, Abigail Adams, Nancy Ward, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Freeman, and many others—they were actually at the very center of the major events of early American history.
In the 10 lessons of America’s Founding Women, you will uncover the very real stories of the women who helped shape the United States as it underwent its transformation from a British colony to a fledgling nation. Professor Cassandra Good will help you understand what life was like for women during the American Revolution, and beyond, and how these women balanced the rigid social expectations of the late 18th and early 19th centuries with their own talents and desires. You will examine the ways they used the power that was granted to them in the home and in their communities and how they forged their own paths in opposition to the limitations imposed on them.
As you study the lives and contributions of these influential women, you will trace the gains and losses toward acquiring women’s rights that they experienced in the early decades of U.S. history. You will better understand how these complex and remarkable women played a vital role in the creation of a nation.
Many of us are intimately familiar with the stories of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America; we know their names and we revere their contributions to history. Women, on the other hand, have often been discussed on the peripheries of sweeping historical narratives, including the era of the American Revolution and the early decades of the nation’s founding. But the work of gender historians over the past 50 years has brought the stories of women out of the shadows and into the light. As you will see through the women that you will meet in this course—including Elizabeth Oliver Watson, Abigail Adams, Nancy Ward, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Freeman, and many others—they were actually at the very center of the major events of early American history.
In the 10 lessons of America’s Founding Women, you will uncover the very real stories of the women who helped shape the United States as it underwent its transformation from a British colony to a fledgling nation. Professor Cassandra Good will help you understand what life was like for women during the American Revolution, and beyond, and how these women balanced the rigid social expectations of the late 18th and early 19th centuries with their own talents and desires. You will examine the ways they used the power that was granted to them in the home and in their communities and how they forged their own paths in opposition to the limitations imposed on them.
As you study the lives and contributions of these influential women, you will trace the gains and losses toward acquiring women’s rights that they experienced in the early decades of U.S. history. You will better understand how these complex and remarkable women played a vital role in the creation of a nation.
5 pages, Audible Audio
Published March 16, 2021
8 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 12, 2021
This book is primarily about white women which the author fails to accurately label as white most of the time. Republican women, planters wives, etc are all code for white women. However Black and Indigenous Peoples of the Americas are ALWAYS labeled by their race, which is fine but must apply to white women as well.
Also the info isn't viewed via an intersectional lens which is crucial & critical when dealing with white women of thus period. Many of which were the oppressors of enslaved peoples.
Also leading to giving Eliza Pickney credit for a process she stole from the enslaved West Africans she held in captivity. She DID NOT come up with that process and its egregious and racist to pretend otherwise.
A waste of time🤷🏾♀️
Also the info isn't viewed via an intersectional lens which is crucial & critical when dealing with white women of thus period. Many of which were the oppressors of enslaved peoples.
Also leading to giving Eliza Pickney credit for a process she stole from the enslaved West Africans she held in captivity. She DID NOT come up with that process and its egregious and racist to pretend otherwise.
A waste of time🤷🏾♀️
April 14, 2021
When I started the book it wasn't showing up on Goodreads. I'm glad I checked after!
This book had a lot of interesting historical information, and it is fairly well written. I was listening to Women's History for a month, and was happy to find this. There was a plethora of information which was organized well. Parts of it were better than others. thus the four stars. The author read it, and they are lectures, but parts were weak and felt rushed. Otherwise she did a more than acceptable job. I think that a class taught by her would be even better than listening to these lectures in a vacuum.
If you are at all interested in the early history of women in this country then I would recommend this book. To me, one of the most interesting aspects was how instrumental women were in the boycotts of British goods in the years leading up the American Revolutionary War. I was recently looking at a book of early American crafts that talks about women making and decorating fabric.
This book had a lot of interesting historical information, and it is fairly well written. I was listening to Women's History for a month, and was happy to find this. There was a plethora of information which was organized well. Parts of it were better than others. thus the four stars. The author read it, and they are lectures, but parts were weak and felt rushed. Otherwise she did a more than acceptable job. I think that a class taught by her would be even better than listening to these lectures in a vacuum.
If you are at all interested in the early history of women in this country then I would recommend this book. To me, one of the most interesting aspects was how instrumental women were in the boycotts of British goods in the years leading up the American Revolutionary War. I was recently looking at a book of early American crafts that talks about women making and decorating fabric.
July 21, 2022
This July rather than reading any book about the American Revolution, I've dedicated myself to reading exclusively about the experience of women in that time period. I found this course to really be almost a retelling of Carol Berkin's "Revolutionary Mothers," with the same examples of women from each of the different categories the author tried to portray. I do understand that records of women are scarce in general and more so for women of color or lower-class women and that inevitably hindered the author to an extent. I did appreciate how she showed the change in women's political involvement, and the reception of that involvement, over time from Martha Washington to Louisa Catherine Adams.
April 28, 2024
i hate history but i love women
August 1, 2021
"True stories of the women who helped forge a nation"
This 4 hour listen covers a glimpse into history of the women who were wives, friends, legends, and/or helpers to America's Founding Fathers. Cassandra Good's research shows women of various backgrounds and stories that are broken down across 10 Lectures; therefore, some women's stories are more detailed than others based on material that Good found and by their influence on the founding father.
I was left wanting to know more about women soldiers disguised as men in the Revolutionary War and more about the push for Women's Rights in the founding of the colonies.
This 4 hour listen covers a glimpse into history of the women who were wives, friends, legends, and/or helpers to America's Founding Fathers. Cassandra Good's research shows women of various backgrounds and stories that are broken down across 10 Lectures; therefore, some women's stories are more detailed than others based on material that Good found and by their influence on the founding father.
I was left wanting to know more about women soldiers disguised as men in the Revolutionary War and more about the push for Women's Rights in the founding of the colonies.
August 11, 2024
Ashlyn Greer has always known she’s different than most people…she can feel emotions through books, and not just by reading them. Ashlyn can touch a text and become connected to the person who last held the book. She knows it will make her sound crazy if she tells anyone, but she is drawn to book, partially for that connection. When Ashlyn stumbles across a pair of unique volumes that appear to be dualing memoirs, the emotions she feels confuse her and push her to investigate their origins and their writers. Little does she know the family secrets and trauma yet to be uncovered. Will her investigations right a wrong from decades ago….or will it tear the authors’ families further apart?
The Echo of Old Books is Barbara Davis’ 2023 historical fiction release. Davis, known for works like Summer at Hideaway Key and The Keeper of Happy Endings has found her niche in women’s literature with this latest work. Full of magical realism, romance, and mystery, Davis builds dualing timelines and naratives through the use of old books the main characters are reading. Her ability to build mystery and backstory simultaneously produces a novel that pulls the readers in and makes you want to know more. This is a book about second chances, the power of love, and what can happen if you’re willing to risk it all.
I give The Echo of Old Books 4 out of 5 stars. It’s not often I find a historical fiction book with the magical realism that feels so plausible! I also appreciate the timelines set both in present day and early to mid-1900’s when racial bias was high, even against those with similar skintones. Davis explores a variety of topics from adoption, to single mothering, to family shame over ethnic backgrounds . I was left feeling like something was missing here though – it always felt like the romance between our two present day leads was contrived and not organic. I also struggled with the fact that he was so willing to put aside his work as an author to go on this quest with her – I’m not sure someone who was so devoted to his craft would be willing to give it up so quickly and miss deadlines. However, I love the way the author pulled it all together towards the end. The final few twists really caught me off guard!
If you are a fan of historical fiction and magical realism, this would be a wonderful choice for your next book! As a fan of Heather Webber and Alice Hoffman’s ability to build a magical world that feels so real, I was happy to find another author who could accomplish the same! And if Hoffman’s Magic Lessons or The Rules of Magic are favorites, you will definitely enjoy this one – this book uses real historical events in a similar manner.
I chose The Echo of Old Books for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “set in a library or bookstore”. I loved the cover of this book with the books piled high behind the shop windows. While only a small part of the story is set in an actual bookstore, it is a pivotal piece that brings the book to Ashton and gives the readers a glimpse into her appreciation for old books. Speaking of Alice Hoffman, another great book set in a library with magical realism and historical events would be The Invisible Hour! What great book are you reading for this prompt?
The Echo of Old Books is Barbara Davis’ 2023 historical fiction release. Davis, known for works like Summer at Hideaway Key and The Keeper of Happy Endings has found her niche in women’s literature with this latest work. Full of magical realism, romance, and mystery, Davis builds dualing timelines and naratives through the use of old books the main characters are reading. Her ability to build mystery and backstory simultaneously produces a novel that pulls the readers in and makes you want to know more. This is a book about second chances, the power of love, and what can happen if you’re willing to risk it all.
I give The Echo of Old Books 4 out of 5 stars. It’s not often I find a historical fiction book with the magical realism that feels so plausible! I also appreciate the timelines set both in present day and early to mid-1900’s when racial bias was high, even against those with similar skintones. Davis explores a variety of topics from adoption, to single mothering, to family shame over ethnic backgrounds . I was left feeling like something was missing here though – it always felt like the romance between our two present day leads was contrived and not organic. I also struggled with the fact that he was so willing to put aside his work as an author to go on this quest with her – I’m not sure someone who was so devoted to his craft would be willing to give it up so quickly and miss deadlines. However, I love the way the author pulled it all together towards the end. The final few twists really caught me off guard!
If you are a fan of historical fiction and magical realism, this would be a wonderful choice for your next book! As a fan of Heather Webber and Alice Hoffman’s ability to build a magical world that feels so real, I was happy to find another author who could accomplish the same! And if Hoffman’s Magic Lessons or The Rules of Magic are favorites, you will definitely enjoy this one – this book uses real historical events in a similar manner.
I chose The Echo of Old Books for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “set in a library or bookstore”. I loved the cover of this book with the books piled high behind the shop windows. While only a small part of the story is set in an actual bookstore, it is a pivotal piece that brings the book to Ashton and gives the readers a glimpse into her appreciation for old books. Speaking of Alice Hoffman, another great book set in a library with magical realism and historical events would be The Invisible Hour! What great book are you reading for this prompt?
August 30, 2021
I would give this audiobook/Great Courses 3 1/2 stars if I could. I almost loved it but there were little disagreements (actually things left out or questions unasked) that disappointed me.
Generally it amounts to not enough context.
I found the use of the label "republican" to be misleading even though the author was careful to say "republican with a small r" or "The republican-democrats was not a political party as we think of the today". Yes. I suppose that is true, but out of those republican-democrats came the modern Democrat Party. Yet pounding out the word republican, republican, republican seemed misleading. I don't think the author was attempting to mislead. Otherwise I would have rated this course with 2 stars. Nevertheless, it was unfair.
The same goes for the subject of slavery. Of course, this audiobook is not about the issue of slavery. It is just talking about women's roles and some of those women were African-Americans as we would call them today. Some of those women were slaves. I would have liked a little more context because the wrong impression was being given here and there.
Maybe I'm being picky. I am a little tired today. I might revisit this audiobook course and reevaluate.
Generally it amounts to not enough context.
I found the use of the label "republican" to be misleading even though the author was careful to say "republican with a small r" or "The republican-democrats was not a political party as we think of the today". Yes. I suppose that is true, but out of those republican-democrats came the modern Democrat Party. Yet pounding out the word republican, republican, republican seemed misleading. I don't think the author was attempting to mislead. Otherwise I would have rated this course with 2 stars. Nevertheless, it was unfair.
The same goes for the subject of slavery. Of course, this audiobook is not about the issue of slavery. It is just talking about women's roles and some of those women were African-Americans as we would call them today. Some of those women were slaves. I would have liked a little more context because the wrong impression was being given here and there.
Maybe I'm being picky. I am a little tired today. I might revisit this audiobook course and reevaluate.
March 14, 2024
America’s Founding Women is a short history lesson that attempts to shed light on the people who aren't typically discussed in conventional history class - the women.
Some of Good's analysis is fairly helpful and revealing, but some of is such a stretch that it brings into question her credibility. One example is her analysis of a portrait:
We also get the sense in looking at the light illuminating Elizabeth's face, in her direct or even challenging gaze, that she was an intelligent woman.
Are you serious?
Other discussions on how the founding women were helpful in the war surrounded petty actions, such as not wearing fancy imported accessories. So to help our country break away from a tyrannical foreign government, you're going to stop wearing feathered hats. Like Catholics on Fridays. They did something to make it feel like they were helping. Only a few times did she bring up that women picked up guns and got into the fight, or got involved with politics.
Some of Good's analysis is fairly helpful and revealing, but some of is such a stretch that it brings into question her credibility. One example is her analysis of a portrait:
We also get the sense in looking at the light illuminating Elizabeth's face, in her direct or even challenging gaze, that she was an intelligent woman.
Are you serious?
Other discussions on how the founding women were helpful in the war surrounded petty actions, such as not wearing fancy imported accessories. So to help our country break away from a tyrannical foreign government, you're going to stop wearing feathered hats. Like Catholics on Fridays. They did something to make it feel like they were helping. Only a few times did she bring up that women picked up guns and got into the fight, or got involved with politics.
December 9, 2021
Interesting vignettes of many women during the founding and early years of the Republic; not just the usual famous ones like Abigail Adams and Mercy Otis Warren, but others like Margaret Bayard Smith and Louisa Catherine Adams. I was a history and political science major and took several women-centric classes in history and politics and literature, and I never knew some of the facts uncovered here, particularly that women were intimately involved in national politics for a number of years in the early eighteenth. Fascinating.
March 31, 2021
This an very interesting listen. As some that took a women history class in college it is interesting to learn things that were not cover or cover differently. What I did not like is that she makes refences to thing like a painting in the first "lecture" just assuming everyone knows that painting. This is why I believe is should have visuals.
April 18, 2021
I was looking forward to what I thought was going to be a look at the women that helped to found this nation. Instead I found a great deal of revisionist history and defamation of our Founding Fathers.
August 8, 2021
Some interesting tidbits of the roles women played as America fought for its independence and in the early days of the new country. They did more than I (and I think most people) expected. Good information for everyone to know.
September 19, 2021
From boycotters, to camp followers, to political advisers and influencers, to reformers and abolitionists, this book offers a good introduction to American women's political history from the revolutionary period until the 1830s.
June 2, 2024
This is a set of 10 lectures telling the stories of the female founders of the United States. The lectures provide a look behind the scenes of the American Revolution to the women leading much of the revolutionary effort.
April 4, 2021
Very interesting.
April 8, 2021
So inspirational to learn about our founding women that started the feminism movement that we are still working on today.
April 12, 2021
Loved the info, I just didn't realize it was going to read like a textbook.
April 13, 2021
This was a super interesting look into women's lives, roles, and the norms that affected them in the young United States.
April 28, 2021
I hoped that the course would cover individuals. Rather, concepts were covered in broad sweeping terms. Disappointed
November 19, 2021
Interesting story, terrible narrator. This is a book to read rather than listen to (unless they issue a new edition with a new narrator)
listened-to
February 1, 2022I think it was good to end on a reactionary period against women's rights to remind us civil rights aren't inevitable.
May 1, 2022
Awesome listen!
May 20, 2022
This was good and really informative. I found out a ton of new information as this is not a period of history i know a lot about.
June 30, 2022
1.5 ⭐️
Not badly written, so I hate to rate it this low.
But I fell asleep listening - several times.
And there was nothing added to my knowledge of this subject 🤷🏻♀️.
Not badly written, so I hate to rate it this low.
But I fell asleep listening - several times.
And there was nothing added to my knowledge of this subject 🤷🏻♀️.
December 21, 2022
Good basic overview of how women got involved in politics at the founding of the nation and following decades, with focus on a couple dozen key figures.
January 20, 2023
I enjoyed this snippet on American History! It was brief and often I found myself wanting more on each lady. Very enjoyable for those just getting into history.
February 19, 2025
2.5⭐ I wanted to like this and I wanted to be excited about it and I wanted to learn from it, but I recall nothing from it. 😅
July 11, 2021
It’s about time we heard about some of these incredible women. I get so weary of hearing about men men men men sometimes that I want to scream. Not that I am against having great men, Lord knows we need all the greatness we can get, but these women! Great Women do not get the recognition they deserve. Thankfully, things are changing little by little. Thank you, Cassandra Good, for bringing these to our attention!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews