MOUNT VERNON — “Even in their dresses, the females seem to bid us defiance,” said a British soldier in America in 1781. The British officer told Lord Cornwallis that “he believed if they would have destroyed all the men in North America, we should have enough to do to conquer the women.”
So were the thoughts of the British during the American Revolution. American history classes teach a lot about the Founding Fathers and the men who fought to bring independence to the United States, but what about the women?
Ken Hammontree makes his second Chautauqua appearance on the Elixir Chautauqua/Lyceum Series 6th season, with “Patriots in Petticoats” exploring the accomplishments of women such as Abigail Adams, Molly Pitcher, Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth Hager, Esther Reed and Martha Washington. He will discuss these and other women who in many cases were ahead of the men in their sacrifices and acts of rebellion.
The lyceum will take place Thursday at 7 p.m., at ThePlace@TheWoodward, 111 S. Main St. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Revolutionary period music will be presented by Pocketful o’Gimmick.
Published on July 10, 2012
