Fearless Women: Feminist Patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyoncé

by Elizabeth Cobbs

When America became a nation, a woman had no legal existence beyond her husband. If he abused her, she couldn't leave without abandoning her children. Abigail Adams tried to change this, reminding her husband John to "remember the ladies" when he wrote the Constitution. He simply laughed—and women have been fighting for their rights ever since.

Fearless Women tells the story of women who dared to take destiny into their own hands. They were feminists and antifeminists, activists and homemakers, victims of abuse and pathbreaking professionals. Inspired by the nation's ideals and fueled by an unshakeable sense of right and wrong, they wouldn't take no for an answer. In time, they carried the country with them.

Many of these women devoted their lives to the cause—some are famous—but most pressed their demands far from the spotlight, insisting on their right to vote, sit on a jury, control the timing of their pregnancies, enjoy equal partnerships, or earn a living. At every step, they faced fierce opposition. Elizabeth Cobbs gives voice to fearless women on both sides of the aisle, most of whom considered themselves patriots. Rich and poor, from all backgrounds and regions, they show that the women's movement has never been an exclusive club.

Genres: History, Feminism, Nonfiction, Womens, Biography, Social Justice, Historical

480 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult one for me. Partly because the narration was just difficult to listen to. I learned a lot from this book about Feminists I didn't know much about, but I hated listening to it and thought it was so poorly executed.

Had high hopes for the "contrasting biography" format - Cobbs chooses two women, one with "privilege," one without, to view the context of a period through. This was a cool concept and I was looking forward to it, but in the end I don't think she pulled it off. Trying to mix biographies with broad definitions of the political changes and norms of a sometimes 50+ year period left each section bloated, unorganized, and sometimes difficult to follow.

I appreciated that when she discussed suffrage, she did not use the expected white women as people to spotlight. However, I thought her apologetics for Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt's racism was inexcusable, as was her sort of soft refusal to acknowledge that women like Kimberly Guilfoyle didn't call out Fox News' abuses of Gretchen Carlson because women like Kimberly Guilfoyle are not feminists.

You are NOT a Feminist by default because you are a woman. It is a chosen political identity.

In a sense I appreciated Cobbs' refusal to be hemmed up by partisanship, because the women's movement prior to Phyllis Schlafly WAS A multi-partisan movement that eschewed the left-right line, but I think she was a little whimsical in painting some of today's right-leaning women as "still feminists" despite their active work to harm women. I also found her lionization of Beyonce surprisingly grating, not because I don't like Beyonce, but because I felt it became off as...obsequious and pandering, like a white woman gushing "look at me, look how much I LOVE Beyonce, because I'm a COOL GIRL."

A complicated book, I think, but it's useful and it does very beautifully elucidate the stories of lesser-known feminists. IT calls them fearless, but a more accurate description is desperate: the less privileged women Cobbs focuses on in her narrative were very likely completely terrified, but forced to crusade for their rights at proverbial gunpoint. Their fear should be acknowledged as a powerful part of what made them seek change.

Listening to it felt like a drag but I valued large chunks of it. Overall, wasn't impressed, and thought the organization was innovative, but the end result an aspiration that didn't quite succeed.

[Kelly Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has taken me a year to read this immense book. It is intense, phenomenally written, inspiring and heartbreaking. As a female reader, I am in awe of what the women in this book overcame and achieved and astonished at how far we still have to journey!

‘“As First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird”Johnson said, “The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom.””

– Fearless Women, Elizabeth Cobbs
From an American-centric viewpoint, the lives of sixteen women from across the centuries are highlighted. Some are famous, some not, all with lessons to share and amazing courage. Elizabeth Cobbs tells these stories in a relatable and easy to connect with way, it’s not a history lesson that is dry and unfeeling, quite the opposite.

The epilogue closes with “As one historian wisely points out, improvement is always “raggedy,” with no unsullied victories. Yet history also allows observers to stand far back enough from the mess to see its hopeful contours. From a distance of nearly three centuries, the positive changes are extraordinary. No one should be shocked that the country has failed to fully realize its goals of liberty and justice for all. It would be more shocking if it had. The past shows that progress is a long slog, but also a worthwhile one.”

It’s a five out of five on the enJOY scale and highly recommended.

[Adysnewbox · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fearless Women" is a pretty great (if not perfect) history book with an interesting angle. Author Elizabeth Cobbs chooses to focus on AMERICAN women's rights throughout the birth & development of the United States. While this understandably (and somewhat regrettably) leaves out a lot of amazing notable women throughout history, it has the advantage of narrowing the focus and doing a "deep dive" into American history, and how it shaped (and was shaped by!) women and their struggles for equality. The book's subtitle ("Feminist Patriots...") hints at specific biographies of specific women, and this is an accurate preview of the book's contents...to a point! But rather than just listing biographies of notable women back-to-back (as is the case of a lot of books of this type), Cobbs goes to great lengths to contextualize each woman's place in society, and how it resembled (or differed from) what her contemporaries were going through at the same time. Each chapter focuses on a different "right" that women fought to achieve over the generations, in roughly chronological order (the right to get an education; the right to lobby; the right to vote; the right to equal pay; the right to equal treatment under the law; etc). Each chapter also focuses on TWO women of a specific time period: One fairly famous and privileged (Abigail Adams; Susan B. Anthony; etc.), and another (a contemporary of the first) who is less well-known, but whose story provides a look at the "less privileged" women of the same era.

The result is a nicely dense, well-researched book that provides excellent context to women's roles throughout American history, and thus has extra impact when discussing the progress made by many of these brave female patriots (some of which never lived to see their dreams of equality completely realized). I know some readers may prefer more in-depth biographies of some of these women, but given the large scope of this book's thesis, I thought it covered all the bases pretty nicely. I learned a lot more about certain women, many of whom I came to admire a great deal (Mary Church Terrel, Harriet Jacobs, Muriel Siebert, and Abigail Adams, to name just a few). While some of these women are household names, some have become relatively UN-known as the years pass by, so it was great to learn more about them. It was nice to discover a few relatively "obscure" names in place of some of the other women who have been written about at length.

Another refreshing aspect of this book is the author's choice to profile women of ALL political backgrounds. Cobbs is wisely using the word "feminism" to describe the push for gender equality REGARDLESS of political denomination. In today's 21st-century, hyper-partisan landscape, many modern feminists have begun to practice a sort of "gatekeeping" of the word "feminism," believing (erroneously) that only THEY are truly "feminists," and ONLY they TRULY stand for equal rights. In truth, women from a variety of belief systems (religious, political, and otherwise) have advanced women's rights through the centuries, and even when the results are sometimes complicated and messy, they should not be dismissed just because they believe "differently" than today's supposedly "enlightened" progressive wing (some of whom have become alarmingly aggressive in their interpretations of history). I thought it took some REAL guts on the author's part to feature Phyllis Schlafly as one of the "patriots" in the book (she was featured in the "Right to Compete" chapter). Schlafly was a notorious hard-right political animal and rabble-rouser, whose relentless campaigning in the 1970s was instrumental in defeating the Equal Rights Amendment. AND YET...Schlafly proved that women could be great political mobilizers and run successful political campaigns on their own (and Sclafly did it while raising several young children!). I am no fan of Schlafly, but this book made me gain some grudging respect for what she accomplished...and some respect for Cobbs in daring to include her in the first place!

The final chapter of the book is, unfortunately, feels like a major, clumsy misstep. It's about the "right to physical safety" (which seems redundant, given a lot of material covered earlier in the book, but whatever). The featured "feminist patriot" is...Beyonce. The #MeToo movement is also covered. I think this chapter is a good example of historians (even good ones!) being unable to fairly judge what is "historical" in contemporary times...often, it takes many years to discover the true impact of certain people or events. A lot of the "historical" context was detailing events in the very recent future, and it felt as if Cobbs was trying to cram too much into one final chapter...trying to have the "last word" on the progress of American women, when their story is still very much a work in progress. I also found the focus on Beyonce more than a little cringey; it felt overly fawning and worshipful. That (plus the many, MANY quotations from her songs) came across as fan-girlish and even a bit unprofessional. I must confess I am not the biggest fan of Beyonce; she is definitely talented, beautiful, and hard-working, but I really struggle to see just WHY she is so idolized. I guess I need to study her music more? At any rate, I instinctively lump her into the same bin as Taylor Swift--the Over-Hyped Starlet who has done well for herself (with a LOT of family management/support, I must add). However, I think a LOT of musicians have written songs about similar subjects...and where's the love for them? I suspect other women (and possibly other musicians!) would have fulfilled the author's thesis better.

Anyway, bad final chapter aside, "Fearless Women" is an interesting, absorbing, and inspiring read. Just skip the messy final chapter and you'll be satisfied!!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Cobbs, Fearless Women Feminist Patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyoncé, Harvard University Press, Belknap Press, March 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Elizabeth Cobbs expands the way in which feminism is used to investigate women who call themselves feminists, and some who do not, worked to improve ‘their country’. This, as Cobbs acknowledges, is a broad definition, and one that I do not endorse, although I do acknowledge that society (and therefore country) would be improved if women’s lives were improved – the work that I think of feminists performing. However, rather than let the broadness of Cobb’s view limit the way in which this book is read, I found it an energising read, with a lot with which I could identify, some that left me questioning (Phyllis Schlafly a feminist?), engrossing stories of marvellous women, horrendous stories of the treatment of women and the beliefs that underlie such treatment, and a veritable wellspring of information. In short, Fearless Women is a worthwhile read, a contribution to debate about feminism, and a history of women’s endeavour.

Cobbs adopts an interesting approach – two women feature as the major figures in each chapter, each contributing to the theme of the chapter, usually in markedly different ways. The chapter headings provide useful information, ranging from the first, ‘The right to Learn’ featuring Abigail Adams and Abigail Bailey; through ‘The right to Speak’ with Angelina Grimke and Harriet Jacobs; to Frances Perkins and Ann Marie Riebe taking up ‘The Right to Earn’, and ending with Beyonce Knowles-Carter and the Women of Me Too providing a face to ‘The right to Physical Safety’. ‘The Right to Compete’ features Phyllis Schlafly and Muriel Siebert (the first woman to have a seat on the New York Stock Exchange). Familiar themes such as ‘The right to Lobby’, ‘The Right to Vote’ and ‘The right to Equal Treatment’ feature the following partnerships: Susan. B. Anthony and Elizabeth Packard; Mary Church Terrell and Rosa Cavallari; and Martha Cotera and Yvonne Swan. A prologue and epilogue, notes and illustrations, are valuable and complete the book.

Cobb explains her approach in the prologue, explaining the broadness of her choices in a book about feminism, feminists, activists on women’s behalf, and their own; her commitment to providing an account of women who made or tried to make the changes to improve women’s lives, and the impact on individual women; her reasons for her selection of particular women and causes; and providing a map of progress on the one hand, and the continuing fight for equality on the other.

Did I agree with everything Elizabeth Cobbs said? No, but that really does not matter. What I found was an engaging narrative that fully represented a range of ideas and women who have had an impact on women’s lives. I found a comprehensive account that made horrific reading at times, and an intensity to the stories of individuals that can only judge the women heroines. I found a book that is well worth reading, discussing and fulminating about while being so impressed with Cobbs’ inspiring way of drawing one into thinking deeply about the women’s movement, the causes women adopted, and the way in which their successes can be built upon.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearing the author discuss Fearless Women and the approach she took in her own words definitely increased my enjoyment of the book.

I went to a talk by Elizabeth Cobbs shortly after the work was released, not really knowing much about it, and knowing absolutely nothing about her.

What I so appreciated was just how thoughtful and upfront she was about her research. Cobbs chose a style I think benefitted the work greatly: rather than writing a broad, sweeping history of feminism in America, she focused on two women per era whose efforts helped women in the country gain a new right (such as the right to learn, the right to earn, and more).

Some of the women she chose are obvious picks, like Abigail Adams and Susan B. Anthony. Others are practically unknown.

What made me so interested in this method was that it provided a very human angle to engross readers, while also telling important stories of remarkable women, including some who are maybe not so savory when you hear about them the first time. It breathed life into each of them and carried the narrative in such an intriguing way.

This strategy paid off so nicely because Cobbs didn’t only go with the big names. She discussed in the talk how she came to evaluate and ultimately choose the best two women to represent each new right. Her clear passion and dedicated research made me all the more excited to read it. I also appreciated her awareness of how important it was not to get too political with her modern choices so people wouldn't write off her book without even giving it a try. This sort of deliberation was made obvious through her carefully presented findings.

While I don’t think this is necessarily the greatest or most riveting work of research I’ve read, it’s fantastically executed and absolutely worth reading. I would recommend Fearless Women very highly, with the slight caveat that there are some very difficult parts to get through emotionally. It’s truly a great book and I hope it gains more attention because it’s an easy and educational read. I look forward to checking out some of Cobbs’ other works in the future.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a NetGalley ARC [original release date 3.7.2023] and I have finally been able to purchase this to read it. I was unable to do so originally due to a bad/unreadable file and no available audiobook [both are now available]. My review is below.

I am really glad that I was finally able to read this as it is a very well-written deep-dive into the women who have changed the world - for good *or* bad - and how have affected all we as women experience even now in 2025 [history IS important; never let ANYONE tell you otherwise].

While I learned so much [I honestly should have taken notes or had the physical copy to make annotations in] and truly enjoyed [mostly; I cannot claim to have enjoyed the chapter on Phyllis Schlafly and her deep hypocrisy at all], I found the chapters to be SO. FREAKING. LONG. [Two hours each by audiobook] and [without notes] I found myself initially getting bogged down by all that was being presented. It is just so much information. I also will say that once I settled into the book [and with the narrator], things did get easier for me, but I still struggled.

That said, this is honestly a must read book. Filled with so much history and insight, there were things that just blew me away and I will be recommending it to everyone. The research here is impeccable [as it is with her other books, that I also recommend], and even with the chapter lengths, the writing is completely engaging and you find yourself feeling all the feels, especially with the early women that, against all odds [and those odds were high and often fraught with danger], fought for the rights of the women around them, and ultimately, fought for all of us living today, and I found myself laughing, being angry and also crying, sometimes all in one chapter.

So go get this and read it and revel in all that was done before us and let it inspire you to gear up for the fight [that we ALL know is coming very soon]; let us do these glorious previous warriors proud.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth Cobbs, and Howard University Press/Belknap Press for providing the initial ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeff Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

People will often romanticize historical time periods. Imagining oneself as a lord and lady of some grand manor and taking advantage of the privilege therein. We don't think about the everyday people that made up history. People are working, raising children, and dealing with difficulties without modern technology and modern rights. In Elizabeth Cobbs' book Fearless Women, we get to see through both lenses. Not surprisingly, we see prominent women of history who would seem to have privilege still not have any more rights than an ordinary person. Worse, we then see the common person living under cruel conditions without any recourse except their wits.

Abigail Adams would petition her husband for a woman's right to speak for herself, have a voice, and have an education. Her husband, John Adams, would brush her off. She was undeterred by his dismissive attitude. Her retort was, "Who will educate your children, John?" Conversely, the other story in this segment shows how an ordinary woman had no rights. She had to rely entirely on her husband, who was not able to keep a steady job, would drink and gamble away their funds, and then abuse the children. She had no rights to her children and had to resort to outsmarting them to get them out of harm's way. This is just one of a dozen stories where it would seem a woman of means would have every right but does not and then see the common woman wrecked by that society.

These are inspirational stories of perseverance as well as educational stories demonstrating the contrast between a woman of means and a woman of no means. Both still butt up against the patriarchy of the day and over time, change these rules. An effort that continues to do this day.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me longer than normal to finish reading this book, it was finding the time to get engrossed without family interrupting me. The book is packed full of information and the reader may need time to unpack it all. I enjoyed the book and liked that each chapter contained information on a famous woman and an everyday woman. The diversity within the book was a nice bonus. It wasn’t just a rich white women’s viewpoint. For example, there is Phyllis Schlafly on one side and Beyonce on the other.

Overall, it is not very difficult book to read. I can see all or parts of this book being used in some history women's studies classes at both an undergraduate and graduate level. I plan to recommend that our academic library purchase a copy and I will also let our women's study historian know about the book.

Thank you to #NetGalley for providing an ARC.

[Taraneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for providing this arc.

I was initially annoyed there was a chapter on Phyllis Schlafly. I don't believe she belongs with all these feminists who moved our country forward. But the issues that she caused in feminism are important to the overall story of feminism in this country and the effects are still felt.

This book took me forever but wasnt as difficult to read as most nonfiction/history is for me.
I was so unaware of so much in here that I felt ashamed and am so glad I read it.

[Groucho42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that covers pairs of women through American history, showing the evolution of women's rights. Well, not always pairs, the last bit has Beyonce and the Olympic athletes as a group.

The only real problem is that this isn't an academic book but it tries to read as one. There's too much detail about each case. I would have preferred less details and more women examined. The stories were good and the author took care to blend names many have heard of with others that few have. Overall, above average; but it could have been better.

[Pegeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrator was a disaster. Chirpy and breathless for Fearless Women!?
But that is not my reason for three stars. The dual sections were a bit forced at times, but deliberately included many women of lower socioeconomic situations and from a diversity of backgrounds. While factual details abounded, hard-hitting historical/ political analysis was missing.

[Allie Laclede · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well done history of feminism through the eyes of women who fought for themselves and others since the Revolutionary War.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating eras in American history and highlights well known names and more ordinary women who made a difference.

[Ariadne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did it really need so much of a chapter devoted to Beyonce? I felt the last chapter let the book down while trotting out her name in a click bait fashion.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Fearless Women, Elizabeth Cobbs successfully depicts the evolution and progression of feminist and women’s rights movements in the United States since the American Revolution in the late eighteenth century. Cobbs cleverly divides the book’s chapters into cohesive sections, with each chapter focusing on a set time period and two powerful historical women. Cobbs does not limit herself to the historical white women and provides examples of powerful women of color who embody the powerful and empowered women that she seeks to highlight. Cobbs tastefully handles some of the more sensitive subjects, particularly slavery, Jim Crow, and #MeToo, and her addressing of these topics accurately reflects the gendered situations and implications unique to women’s experiences throughout American history. The book is incredibly well-written and full of detail, and Cobbs is clearly familiar with and knowledgeable about the book’s subject. Cobbs references primary sources throughout the text, particularly letters and personal papers, autobiographies, and other official documents, and she brings the book through the modern day. While Cobbs could have chosen to focus on colonial America before the Revolution, her decision to focus on the American Revolution and onward makes sense given the limited access to relevant documents and the challenges of obtaining accurate historical information. Regardless, this book provides solid foundational information for American women’s history and American women’s rights movements.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harvard University Press, and Belknap Press for the advance copy.