Women's Rights and the French Revolution: A Biography of Olympe De Gouges

"Women's Rights and the French Revolution: A Biography of Olympe De Gouges" unfolds the remarkable yet underrecognized story of Olympe de Gouges, a pioneering figure in the fight for gender equality during the tumultuous times of the French Revolution. Amidst the chaos of 1789, while men dominated the revolutionary headlines, women like de Gouges campaigned fervently for their place in the new social order. Her audacious 1791 publication, the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, marked a bold dissent against the entrenched gender norms of her time, earning her a tragic fate under the guillotine's blade. This biography not only revives de Gouges from historical obscurity but also celebrates her vision of a "new woman"—empowered, proactive, and breaking free from the shadows of societal roles. Ideal for high school readers, this book serves as a crucial lens into the gender and racial justice issues of the era, encouraging a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles for equality. Published on July 30, 2014, this thoughtful narrative honors a true heroine whose ideas were revolutionary and whose courage was unparalleled in her fight for justice and equality.