When we think of the Fourth of July, we picture independence, freedom, flags waving proudly… and the familiar names printed in history books. What’s often left out is that the United States' independence was also shaped by women—not quietly from the sidelines, but through action, strategy, and courage.

Today, we honor the women who made decisions, led movements, crafted revolutionary ideas, and, yes, took the front lines when necessary.

Women who thought, led, and risked it all

Take Mercy Otis Warren, a writer and political thinker whose words fueled the revolutionary cause. In a time when women were expected to stay silent on politics, she wrote under a pseudonym—and later, her own name—proving that ideas are not confined by gender.

Sybil Ludington, just 16 years old, rode over 40 miles through the night to rally local militias. She didn’t do it because someone asked her—she did it because she understood the urgency of the moment.

Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to enlist in the Continental Army and fight directly in battle. She didn’t wait for a place at the table—she made one.

And countless others strategists, messengers, community leaders, and intellectuals played crucial roles. They didn’t wait to be remembered. They made themselves unforgettable.

The corset and freedom: reclaiming how we dress and how we move

Back then, the corset symbolized order, control, and social expectations. It didn’t just shape a woman’s body—it shaped her place in the world.

Today, that same silhouette tells a different story. We wear it if we want to. We choose the style, the fabric, the fit. What was once a constraint is now a form of expression, support, and confidence.

Because real freedom includes the freedom to choose how we feel in our own skin.

Celebrating with purpose

The Fourth of July isn’t just about fireworks or flags—it’s a chance to recognize how freedom is still being shaped every day. And often, it looks like a woman.

A woman who leads, who creates, who speaks up. One who doesn’t ask for a place in history—because she’s already writing it.

Happy Fourth of July to all the independent women—past, present, and future. May we continue to honor freedom with voice, strength, and purpose.