The Women of the Mayflower and Women of Plymouth Colony

Ethel J.R.C. Noyes??The Women of the Mayflower and Women of Plymouth Colony?discusses the importance and significance of women in the early settlement and provides a history of their works and accomplishments.?While many books do not mention the role of women in the early Plymouth Colony, this volume informs readers of the journey women took to gain freedoms they felt they deserved. Often given the tasks of cooking, cleaning and taking care of children, women of the Plymouth Colony were usually married and/or with child by the age of 20.?Unlike in Europe, these young women at Plymouth had extensive property and legal rights and oftentimes owned and took care of their land, homes and families with an absent husband or without one at all. For one of the first times in a civilized society, women were able to take part in contracts like prenuptial agreements and even sat on juries.?Today, women continue to enjoy these rights and freedoms in the United States and, according to Ethel Noyes, should thank the mothers of their nation for working hard for them.