(06.05 MC)
Read the excerpt from The Declaration of the Rights of Women
written by French activist Olympe de Gouges in 1791.
Women, wake up; the tocsin of reason sounds throughout the
universe; recognize your rights. The powerful empire of nature is no
longer surrounded by prejudice, fanaticism, superstition, and lies. The
torch of truth has dispersed all the clouds of folly and usurpation.
Enslaved man has multiplied his force and needs yours to break his
chains. Having become free, he has become unjust toward his
companion. Oh women! Women, when will you cease to be blind?