Abigail Adams was a rock star for women's rights. How 5 Quincy women make her proud

QUINCY – To mark Women's History Month, the city of Quincy will hold a tea inspired by early women's rights advocate and First Lady of the United States, Abigail Adams. The "Remember the Ladies" event will honor five Quincy women for their accomplishments in the fields of arts and culture, health, education and public service.

In her writings, Adams expressed her civic spirit by describing personal sacrifice for the common good. The five women selected for honors likewise have shown a commitment to the city over many decades, not just in their professional lives, but through volunteering to social organizations.

"Abigail Adams' life and legacy is what Women's History Month is all about," said Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch. "We welcome everyone to celebrate five remarkable women in our community, women who make a difference very day contributing to the quality of live for each of us."

The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place at Quincy High School Auditorium, 100 Coddington St., on Saturday, March 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. It will be hosted by WBZ-TV reporter Jordyn Jagolinzer.

The significance of Abigail Adams in American and Women's History

Born in Weymouth to an affluent minister, Abigail Adams was not formally educated, but through her native intelligence and access to her father's private library, she gained a thorough knowledge of classical and world literature.

This shines through in her famous correspondence with her husband, John Adams, containing more than 1,100 letters written from 1762 until 1801. With John away in Philadelphia at Second Continental Congress, Abigail was home tending the family farm and five children while following political and military developments with a close and acute eye.

The famous "Remember the Ladies" quote comes from a letter to John dated March 31, 1776. In it, she advises her husband to safeguard the rights of women when drafting legislation for the new nation. At that time, women traditionally were deprived of property rights, voting rights and the right to hold political office.

In the full passage, Abigail brilliantly employs the Revolution's rhetoric of independence and representation to press for women's rights, implicitly comparing men to George III and women to the aggrieved patriots:

"In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies, we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation."

Abigail also spoke out against slavery, doubting whether men who enslave others (specifically Virginians in the following example) could honestly fight for liberty. "I have sometimes been ready to think that the passion of Liberty cannot be equally strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs," she wrote to John in the same letter.

Who is being honored at Quincy's "Remember the Ladies" Women's History event?

The five women wo be honored at the tea have made contributions to the arts, local economy, public schools, social services and legal system in the city. They include:

Linda Santoro of the Quincy Arts Association, an organization which offers classes and hosts special events in the community. In October 2021, the QArts gallery opened on Hancock Street, featuring exhibitions and events. Santoro worked as the head of alternations for Lord and Taylor in Braintree, devoting free time to creating costumes for Quincy school plays, as well as volunteering for DOVE, the nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence.

Caryn M. Smith, owner of Caryn's Corner. A Quincy native, Smith owns the boutique bearing her name on Beach Street. She's also active in the Quincy Rotary Club, Quincy Community Action Plan, The Friends of the Kennedy Center and several other civic organizations. Currently, Smith has contributed to a community effort to provide prom dresses, tuxedos and other items to ensure all Quincy graduating seniors can enjoy the year-end festivities.

Courtney A. Mitchell, principal of Southwest Middle School. A lifelong Quincy resident, Mitchell began teaching as a long-term substitute at Lincoln Hancock Elementary before becoming a guidance counselor, then assistant principal at Sterling Middle School. She was appointed principal of Merrymount Elementary in 2019 and of Southwest in 2022. In addition to her regular duties, Mitchell has coached volleyball and worked as an advisor at Quincy Evening School and facilitator of extended and summer school programs.

Daurice Cox, president and CEO of Bay State Community Services. Cox has worked for nonprofit services and clinics since 1986, joining Bay State more than 30 years ago. Since its inception, the agency has grown from 30 programs to more than 80 in 19 different locations across the South Shore. Cox has expressed her pride in providing a safety net and comprehensive services to the region's most vulnerable residents.

Barbara Isola, Plymouth County assistant district attorney and former Quincy School Committee member. Isola sat on the school committee from 2010 to 2018. She has also been a board member of the Quincy Historical Society since 2019, currently serving as second vice president.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy marks Women's History Month with 'Remember the Ladies' tea