Who was an early advocate for women's rights and wrote "Order of Nature"?

Judith Sargent Murray was an early advocate for women's rights and is best known for her essay "Order of Nature," which was published in 1790. In this work, she argued for the intellectual equality of men and women, advocating that women should have access to education and the opportunity to develop their own capabilities. Murray's writings challenged the prevailing views of gender roles at the time, positioning women as capable thinkers and contributors to society.

Her work laid foundational ideas for the women's rights movement that would gain momentum in the 19th century, making her contributions significant in the context of advocating for gender equality. Murray highlighted the importance of education for women and addressed the limitations placed on them by societal beliefs. Her arguments were among the early steps toward recognizing that women were deserving of the same rights and opportunities as men.