On this day in 1793, Olympe de Gouges was guillotined. An advocate for Human Rights,
Ms. de Gouges led a progressive life style for her time. She married once and that was enough. A playwright by trade, she used her sharp writing skills to give focus to the plight of women and blacks. Ms. de Gouges wrote a letter in 1791 to Marie-Antoinette declaring "Rights for Women". This is the first document written to support women's rights. Based on the manifesto, "Rights for Men". She was also quoted as saying, "A woman has the right to mount the scaffold(executed) she must possess equally the right to mount the speaker's platform." Through her writing and in her death she achieved both.
(http://studymore.org.uk/xoly.htm) This is the best translation I found and if you know a better one, please share.
Also on this day in 1970, Bella Savitsky Abzug was elected to Congress. A leader in Women's Movement. Known as 'Battling Bella", "Mother Courage" and 'Hurricane Bella"
Ms. Abzug was quoted, "This woman's place is in the House- the House of Representatives!"
