The Fraternal Society of Patriots of Both Sexes, Defenders of the Constitution () was a French revolutionary organization notable in the history of

feminism Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideology, ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social gender equality, equality of the sexes. Feminism holds the position that modern soci ...

as an early example of active participation of women in politics.

History

The Fraternal Society was founded in October 1790 by Claude Dansard, ''un maître de pension,'' or school master.Aulard and Miall 1910, p. 234 This organization's goal was to provide a civic education that would lead to revolutionary acts becoming a daily occurrence. An original characteristic of this group was the fact that they were widely inclusive to women.Godineau 1998
p. 105
/ref>Janet K. Boles, Diane Long Hoeveler, ''Historical Dictionary of Feminism'', 2004, , pp.301–302 Originally, the organization's meeting place was an old library room of the disused Dominican (called "Jacobins" in France) convent on Rue Saint-Honoré, the one which hosted the revolutionary

Jacobin Club The Society of the Friends of the Constitution (), renamed the Society of the Jacobins, Friends of Freedom and Equality () after 1792 and commonly known as the Jacobin Club () or simply the Jacobins (; ), was the most influential List of polit ...

.John Goldworth Alger, ''Glimpses of the French Revolution: Myths, Ideals, and Realities'', Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1894 (Googe e-book)
p. 144
/ref> It has been suggested that the Fraternal Society grew out of the regular occupants of a special gallery allocated to women at the Jacobin Club. Within this organization there were two secretary posts that were guaranteed to women at all times. The other positions would be divided up among the men and women members, making it much more egalitarian than previous revolutionary organizations. However the role of President was always held by a man. The women and men sat among each other and each member referred to one another as "brother" and "sister".Aulard and Miall 1910, p. 236 The women possessed the same membership cards as men and were permitted to vote on matters. The members of this organization, of which Pépin Degrouhette, Tallien and Merlin de Thionville were at one point presidents, debated the subject of liberty, France, and the

Constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly determines how that entity is to be governed. When these pri ...

with a zeal that was seen as surpassing that of the

Jacobins The Society of the Friends of the Constitution (), renamed the Society of the Jacobins, Friends of Freedom and Equality () after 1792 and commonly known as the Jacobin Club () or simply the Jacobins (; ), was the most influential List of polit ...

. The Fraternal Society lent the energy of their female members to long dull speeches of the Jacobins, which were enthusiastically cheered by vivacious female participants. who frequently rallied and energized their fellow revolutionaries. There was also a strong bond between this revolutionary club and the others who shared the same democratic views, such as the

Cordeliers The Society of the Friends of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen ( ), mainly known as Cordeliers Club ( ), was a Populism, populist List of political groups in the French Revolution, political club during the French Revolution from 1790 to 179 ...

, with whom they would sometimes organize rallies.Godineau 1998, p. 106

Famous members

Etta Palm d'Aelders Etta Lubina Johanna Palm d'Aelders (April 1743 – 28 March 1799), also known as the Baroness of Aelders, was a Dutch spy and feminist, outspoken during the French Revolution. She gave the address ''Discourse on the Injustice of the Laws in F ...

McMillan 2000, p. 20 *

Louise-Félicité de Kéralio Louise-Félicité Guynement de Kéralio (25 August 1758 in Valence, Drôme – 31 December 1821 in Brussels) was a French writer and translator, originating from the minor Brittany, Breton nobility. Her father was Louis-Félix Guynement de Kér ...

Hazan 2012, p. 90 (footnote) *

Pauline Léon Pauline Léon (28 September 1768 – 5 October 1838) was an influential woman during the French Revolution. She played an important role in the Revolution, driven by her strong feminist and anti-royalist beliefs. Along with her friend Claire Lacom ...

* Jacques-René Hébert * Marie Marguerite Françoise Hébert * Anne-Josèphe Théroigne de Méricourt * François Robert * Jean-Lambert Tallien * Antoine Merlin de Thionville * Madame Boudray

Notes

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References

* Andress, David. ''"The Saint-Cloud Affair." Massacre at the Champ De Mars: Popular Dissent and Political Culture in the French Revolution''. Suffolk, UK: Royal Historical Society, 2000. 118-19. Print. * Aulard, F. -A., tr. Bernard Miall. "Formation of the Democratic Party." ''The French Revolution; a Political History, 1789–1804'',. Vol. 1. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1910. 234. Print * Godineau, Dominique. ''The Women of Paris and Their French Revolution''. Berkeley: University of California, 1998. Google Books. Web. 7 Nov 2013. * Hazan, Eric. "Chapitre IV La Constituante à Paris – Les Journées Des 5 Et 6 Octobre, Les Clubs, La Réorganisation Administrative, La Fête De La Fédération (octobre 1789juillet 1790)." ''Une Histoire De La Révolution Française''. N.p.: La Fabrique, 2012. N. pag. Print. (In French) * McMillan, James. "The Rights of Man and the Rights of Women, the Public Sphere Redefined." ''France and Women, 1789–1914: Gender, Society and Politics''. London and New York: Routledge, 2000. 20. Print. Groups of the French Revolution 1790 establishments in France Protofeminism Feminism in France Women in the French Revolution First-wave feminism in France

History

Famous members

See also

Notes

References