Women were very important to the development of the Republic in the United States. Although their influences were indirect, they had a great impact. Women were not allowed to participate in elections or hold office; However, they were wives of politicians and "mothers of the republic". Although they were not legally eligible for the above roles, they were given the right to education and a little freedom, which in turn allowed them to become more intellectually acceptable on government issues. “The people” in the Constitution referred to free white men. in America. This was America's founding knowledge. They also strongly believed in feme covert at the beginning of the Republic. Part of the feme covert stated “that the wife's civil life was completely absorbed by her husband”. It further stated that women could not be sued or sue anyone else, their land was all their husband's, they could not enter into a contract, and even their children legally belonged to the husband. (Roark et al. Page 287) These views on women did not stop them from expressing their own opinions. Abigail Adams clearly did not support the view of feme covert or that “the people” should have the right to men. She claimed in letters addressed to her husband, in which she stated that women "were deprived of a voice in the legislature" even though they were obliged to conform to the laws imposed on them. (Roark et al. page 215) There were other women in the Republic who expressed their opinions on the matter, but many women were accustomed to this form of life at first and went with the flow. Even though married women couldn't own property or anything like that, single women could own land, make a contract, file lawsuits, and pay taxes. Even with the privileges afforded to… middle of paper… I hear. With so many laws about what their status should be and limiting their contribution, you would think they would never be able to be part of "The People". However, throughout history, the role played by women in many different roles has made a difference. They may not always have been able to express it freely, but through time, education, husband, son, and church they made themselves heard. The women of the First Republic changed the lives of generations to come. They also played an important role in equality for African Americans as well. Every woman today should thank them for the opportunity given by the Republican Mothers. Works Cited1. Roark, James L; Johnson, Michael P.; Cohen, Patricia Cline; Stage, Sarah; Hartmann, Susan M.. The American Promise: A History of the United States. Fifth edition, ValueEdition. Volume 1. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. Print