There are three very prominent women who have shared their views and philosophies on

the differences between genders in their society: Hildegard of Bingen, Mary Wollstonecraft, and
Sarah Grimke. All of them have differences in opinion, perspective, and background motivating
them to get involved in the fight for womens rights. However, they all agree in the need for a
more positive image of the woman and her purpose. Historically, women have been described as
weak, emotional creatures that are overall inferior to men. This sentiment justifies the need for
men to be the protectors of women; without men, women would be unable to defend themselves.
As time has passed, men have continued to assert their power over women, using a womans
naturally petite stature, physical weakness, and perceived emotional fragility as the argument for
womens need to partner with a man. Throughout the different centuries that each of these
featured women lived, there are different issues that they face, but it is clear that all of them exist
in a society that believes in the outright inferiority of the woman to the man.
Hildegard de Bingen lived in 12th century Germany. She was the tenth child born to her
parents and, at an early age, was noted as being different from the other children by her nurse.
It was decided by her parents that she would follow a life in the Order (become a nun for the
Benedictine church). Although she received a considerably superior education to other women of
her time, she often referred to herself as uneducated. Regardless of how she spoke of herself,
Hildegard was regarded with respect by the people of her time. Womens views on theology and
philosophy were typically not heard and even prohibited in the scriptures of the New Testament.
However, since Hildegard was regarded as a prophet, she was encouraged by the Pope to
continue her writings about the messages she received from God. The roles that she took on
surpassed the usual expected role of the woman in the 12th century, especially that of a nun.

The words of Hildegard that have been documented, show how God speaks to her
encouraging her to write the words He is telling her so that His messages are received and can be
spread through the Church (Hildegard 33). Through Gods words she notes that even God
acknowledges there is an added burden of being labelled as a woman on Earth (Hildegard 33).
Although Hildegard is one of the best known and most influential women of the Middle Ages,
other women also utilized the fact that men tended to portray women as inferior and inherently
weaker to make the argument for why God chooses prophets to be women (because they are the
weaker gender socially).
Mary Wollstonecraft lived in the London area in the 18th century with her mother and
father and two sisters. Throughout her young life, she witnessed abusive and incompetent men
acting as the heads of the household. Her exposure to this at an early age gave her an aversion
towards the idea of marriage and a clear view that women should not be inferior to men. In 18th
century English society, it was customary that women were always under the supervision or
ownership of a man first their father and then their husband. Women were never expected to be
responsible for themselves. In fact, women who lived on their own were looked at
disapprovingly.
Regardless of societys standards at the time, Mary Wollstonecraft, her sisters, and her
friend Fanny Blood were forced, by circumstance, to rely on their own competency and ability to
provide for themselves. Mary used her writing as a method of conveying her thoughts and
opinions on the fundamental issues within society. Her philosophies were highly reliant on her
lifetime experiences and observing the relationships between man and woman of those close to
her (her mother, her sister, her friends father, etc.). However, she truly believed that women

should be educated so that they can develop virtues that will allow them to exist as independent
entities or beings.
Sarah Grimke lived in 19th century America, during the Abolitionist movement. She was a
prominent figure in the fight for the freedom of slaves as well as an advocate for womens rights.
Sarah and her sister, Angelina Grimke, both spoke publicly about these issues. Sarah put many of
her thoughts into writing, such as the letters that she addressed to her sister about the equality of
genders and the condition of women. Sarahs positive concept of the woman is that they should
be equal to man. The driving force behind her argument for the equality of the sexes is that it was
Gods intention for women to be equals with men.
Most of her argument is validated by using the Bible to counteract and undermine the
argument that women are inferior to men and that their only purpose is to be a good wife to their
husband, which was the popular belief at the time. Ironically, these beliefs were widely practiced
due to the institutionalization of the Church. Grimke believed that women had the same capacity
to understand divine truths and that men were created for women in the same way that it was
believed that women were created for men. She believed that marriage was the major downfall
for women in society since it essentially disintegrated their identity. She writes about her
frustrations in hearing women reply, My husband does not approve of it, instead of speaking
their own thoughts on the subject (Grimke 99). Grimke believes that actions like these are what
contribute to the oppression of women and signifies that women choose their husbands as their
saviors rather than Christ.
Although these three women lived in different time periods and geographical locations,
they all faced the same oppression within their societies. This is most readily depicted by their
inability to make choices for themselves and in return receiving judgment if they went against

societys norm, or the expected behavior of women. Hildegards entire life as a nun was predetermined by her family. Wollstonecrafts generation continued to practice the ownership of
women by men whether their father or husband. Grimkes public and vocal fight for the
freedom of slaves and the rights of women was considered unladylike behavior.
Within the context of these societies that diminished the worth and capabilities of
women, these three women surface as important figures who combat the negative image of
women and attempt to replace it with a more positive idea giving more autonomy and freedom to
women. Wollstonecraft and Grimke share a particular affinity in the discussion of how marriage
affects the dynamic relationship between the genders. Both believed that marriage between a
man and woman decreased the value of the woman. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common
for husbands to be the guardians of their wives just the same as their children. Also, after
marriage, women were not considered legal beings/entities. Their names were removed from
records; they were completely absorbed into their husbands name and property. Women who
committed crimes were not even held responsible for their actions, but their husbands were to
take responsibility for their actions.
Grimke specifically believed that marriage was degrading to women because of the
nature of marriage. The woman is essentially absorbed into the mans being losing her identity
and individuality (Grimke 99). The woman is expected to be a good, faithful wife to her husband.
This expectation seems to be perpetuated by the Bible in statements such as, Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord (Eph. 5:22, 24). However, Grimke uses
this statement to poke holes in the logic of women giving their full devotion to their husbands. In
giving themselves completely to their husbands, women are then worshipping their husbands as
though they are God and then in turn men are to worship God. However, this means that should a

woman pray to God, her Creator, she would be dishonoring her husband (Grimke 102). This
concept seems to contradict with the general teachings of the Church and how everyone should
honor God and their savior.
Observing the failed marriages of those close to her her parents, her sisters, and her
friends parents forced Mary Wollstonecraft to question the entire concept of marriage. Her
own experience of having to support herself and earn a living, which was very rare in the 18th
century, made her realize that the tradition of marriage, in and of itself, limits women from
having any need to become independent or develop their individual character (Wollstonecraft
132). For a woman, getting married means that your husband will take care of you. Thus, the
only thing women need to know is how to catch a man and be a good wife. Wollstonecraft fights
for womens education, because she believes that virtues are learned and that each individual
human being should at least have the learned virtues that will allow them to live on their own
(Wollstonecraft 132).
Hildegard and Grimke both utilize the Bible and teachings of the Church to argue that
God did not intend for women to be treated as inferior beings to men, which is ironic since most
of the arguments that perpetuate the oppression of women are derived from the Church.
Hildegard talks about how God created both man and woman in his image and so it is implied
that women and men were created to be equal beings (Hildegard 55). Similarly, Grimke states in
her letter to her sister that societys interpretation of the Bible directly contradicts with the true
meaning and purpose of those laws of God (Grimke 104). For example, she points out that there
are passages that say that women should be good to their husbands: Wives, submit yourselves
unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Col. 3:18), but there are also passages that

command men to be good to their wives: Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against
them (Col. 3:18).
Although there was a sense of moving towards the equality of the genders amongst these
women, all three of them mention the weaker frame of women. Grimke specifies that by weaker
vessel it is only meant that women are physically weaker beings than men (Grimke 103). She
also goes on to claim that men prefer when women are weak, because it prevents a womans
opinion from interfering with his own. Men maintain control and power which creates the
dependence and weakness of women, as a whole. In slight contrast, Wollstonecraft talks about
how nature gave women a weaker frame than man and that the woman has been taught to act in a
way that generates feelings of tenderness and affection from the man. However, Wollstonecraft
argues that this is a negative alternative to friendship and respect from a man/husband/partner
(Wollstonecraft 136). Hildegard admits to the weakness of women, but turns this argument
around by expressing mans strength as a negative trait and womans weakness as a positive one
(Hildegard 56).
There are additional varying opinions of the three women on how to create a more
positive image of the woman. Most are likely derived from their differing circumstances,
locations, and time periods. However, most of their outlooks parallel one another, the only
differences found are in their explanations and justifications of their opinions. I think that it
makes sense that these women, who felt the oppression of societys rules and guidelines came to
the same conclusions. First, marriage is a social construct that clearly displays the dynamics
between man and woman. Second, the Bible has questionable teachings that contradict the
structures it is responsible for constructing. Lastly, women may be physically weaker but that
gives them their own strengths. All of these arguments are justifiable in different ways, but

ultimately these claims are made in the search for a more equitable and balanced dynamic
between women and men.
Although there are many differences in opinion on what the ideal concept of a woman is
between these three distinguished women, they all agree that women have been oppressed in
society and devalued based on societys definition of a woman relative to man. I think that each
proposed argument has their own strengths and weaknesses. I personally identify most with
Wollstonecrafts position and arguments for women. I started to question the structure of
marriage in our society when my parents got divorced. My situation was nowhere as serious and
life-changing as Mary Wollstonecrafts aggressive and incompetent father, but I think that it was
just the act of having that glass shattered the idea of marriage being the ultimate
accomplishment of a womans life being brainwashed into the heads of every little girl. It was
eye-opening to realize that that didnt have to be the ultimate goal for my life or my friends lives
or really anyones life. There is a choice there, but its interesting to see how many people still
conform to the idea of marriage and the American Dream type lifestyle for granted as the
standard end goal. I think that its scary to look around and see how many people get married or
want to get married, but dont fully understand the idea of marriage and all that it entails. It is
just a concept that has been blindly accepted in our society.
I also strongly identify with Wollstonecrafts push to educate women. I do not fully agree
with her argument that virtues are only learned and not at all innate, but I do agree with the
importance of education and how simply having knowledge can fundamentally change our views
on our purpose and abilities. I think that education can also improve the confidence that women
have in themselves, which can in turn lead them to live more independent lives. With my parents
divorce, I have also come to realize the great benefit of being able to survive independently from

a partner, because there is no way of knowing when you might need to. There is also a larger
freedom in being capable of existing on your own. The ability to survive is an important skill that
every person should have access to regardless of gender or identity.
The last point that I really appreciate from Wollstonecrafts writings on the rights of
women was her strong feelings of disgust at the socialization of women. She pinpoints the fact
that girls are told from the day they are born that women should be soft, weak, cunning, beautiful
and outwardly obedient in order to find a husband (Wollstonecraft 132). Finding a husband
grants you the protection and guardianship of a man so that you a woman can continue to live
a peaceful and domestic life, but is that really whats best? Wollstonecraft questions this and
implores others to bring an end to the blind obedience of women to men so that they can stop
acting solely as slaves and playthings (Wollstonecraft 134). Wollstonecraft argues that this
prevents women from reaching their full potential or receiving any respect from their husbands.
She seeks to raise women up, as a whole, from their positions below the standard of rational
creatures so that they may become the equal partner of their husband rather than the dependent
and slave (Wollstonecraft 136).
Mary Wollstonecrafts philosophy, ideology and vision for women is what I most closely
identify with, but it does not take away from the significance of Hildegards or Grimkes great
work in the forefront of granting womens rights. Hildegard was an amazingly strong figure
during her time. She held a position of great power and her message was heard despite her
gender. However, from our knowledge of Hildegard, it is hard for me to tell whether or not she
was classified as a feminist because of her role as a female prophet and as one of the first
females to hold such power (especially within the Church) or if she truly believed in womens
right to equality.

As we have discussed before, there are different versions and levels of feminism and
those dont necessarily detract from ones ability to be classified as feminist. However, I think
that it is fundamental that as a feminist you believe that women are (capable) of being equal to
men. It is known that Hildegard reinforced patriarchal ideas and traditional teachings of the
Church to her students and followers. She also seems to describe both herself and other women
as inherently weak beings, which follows the patriarchal societal structure. This societal structure
is the foundation of the oppression of women. For these reasons, I found it harder to support
Hildegards position on the role of women.
Grimke also had very valid arguments on the issues that marriage brings about for
women. I definitely agree with a lot of these since, from my position, I believe that people
simply dont think about the implications of marriage and what it entails. She argues that women
lose themselves in marriage by completely changing their opinions and beliefs to match those of
her husband. I identified with many of her arguments, just not as much the reasoning or support
for those arguments. For example, her main tactic is to attack the Bible in order to disprove its
teachings and the implications of those teachings in society. However, I think that this causes her
argument to lose its validity in cases where people do not identify with the same religion, or any
religion at all. Grimkes biggest argument seems to be that women that blindly follow their
husbands without any of their own opinions are in a way worshipping their husbands rather than
their savior. This argument does poke a big hole in the logic of the Church and the validity of
women serving their husbands, but it doesnt really extend to other communities or groups of
people that maybe dont worship a God.
Regardless of the small differences in opinion that likely stem from a difference of
opinion and circumstance, all of these women were extremely influential figures in the

progression of women within society. Each exhibited their courage in writing these progressive
ideas within their time period. As women of 21st century America, I believe that we owe a great
deal of our freedoms and independence to these woman, and the many others that fought for our
collective rights. Our society still has a long way to go in womens rights and other gender,
sexuality, and related rights and it is important to think critically about the true and ultimate
meaning of generally accepted ideas in our society. As our society continues to grow and
develop, hopefully we can aspire to act with the same bravery as these women did to fight for the
rights, freedoms, and equalities of those that have also been oppressed throughout history.

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