Abigail Adams

Though she was never formally schooled, Abigail Adams was the first person husband President John Adams turned to for advice on politics and government.  Her intelligence and tact were so respected that she was able to write the following to the Continental Congress without garnering ill will: “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.”  And that over 100 years before women received the right to vote.  Go Abby!Photo: mercyhs.org