7 Courageous Women Who Stood Against Harassment Throughout History

Harassment has been a persistent issue, making headlines from high-profile assault cases to social media campaigns. However, the fight against harassment is not a recent phenomenon. Women have been resisting harassment for centuries, long before the Hollywood scandals and the #MeToo movement. Here are seven historical figures who stood against harassment, showcasing the enduring nature of this struggle.

Helena de Huysteveyt: A Medieval Voice Against Harassment

In medieval Europe, women’s career choices were severely limited, often confined to domestic work. However, some women ventured beyond the home for employment. The first recorded case of workplace harassment dates back to 1363 in England, where specific laws against sexual harassment were established.

Master Thomas de Queldale sued priest William de Ramkyl for hiring his apprentice, Helena de Huysteveyt, who had left her job without permission. Ramkyl was accused of hiring Helena while she was still under contract with Thomas. Helena’s defense was that Thomas, despite being married, repeatedly tried to force her into sex. She fled and found work with Ramkyl.

The court, however, did not believe Helena and found her and Ramkyl guilty of breach of contract. The priest paid a fine, but Helena’s fate remains unknown. This story, over 700 years old, resonates even today, highlighting the long-standing issue of workplace harassment.

Elizabeth Wade: Resisting Unwanted Advances

The plight of female servants saw little change over the next 400 years. A book published in 1743 for young servant girls included sections on protecting themselves from unwanted advances by their employers, both married and unmarried.

Elizabeth Wade, a spinster, was forced to testify in court to prove that another servant, Martha Vause, was not a harlot. Both women worked in the same household and testified about their employer’s sexual misconduct. Elizabeth recounted how he repeatedly tried to have sex with her and once offered his crown to lift her skirt. She resisted, stating she was not a prostitute.

Martha Vause fared worse. The employer got her drunk and raped her, resulting in a pregnancy in 1795. He fired her and offered 10 pounds (about $350 today) if she named someone else as the father. This case underscores the vulnerability of female servants and the lack of protection they had against harassment.

Harriet Ann Jacobs: A Slave’s Struggle Against Sexual Violence

Enslaved women had no legal recourse against harassment, but there were rare exceptions. Harriet Ann Jacobs, an American slave in the 1800s, managed to escape and later published her autobiography, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” in 1861, detailing the sexual violence she endured.

Harriet tried to escape her master, Dr. James Norcom, by becoming pregnant by a white man she favored, hoping to be sold. Unfortunately, she had two children, and her plan failed, forcing her to plot her escape for another seven years. Her book is considered one of the most harrowing accounts of a woman’s struggle against sexual violence, shedding light on the horrific experiences of enslaved women.

Louisa May Alcott: A Literary Voice Against Harassment

Louisa May Alcott is best known for “Little Women,” but in 1874, she published a story about her experience with sexual harassment at the age of 18. Working as a paid companion for Mrs. R., she soon realized she was also expected to serve Mr. R., the woman’s brother. Every evening, he would summon her to his study, and when she refused, he would seek her out in the kitchen and punish her with heavy chores. Louisa was fortunate to escape, but many other servants were not as lucky.

Alcott’s account provides a glimpse into the harassment faced by young women in domestic service, highlighting the power dynamics and the lack of protection they had against their employers’ advances.

Grace Abbott and Sophonisba Breckinridge: Pioneers in the Fight for Justice

Grace Abbott and Sophonisba Breckinridge, pioneering social workers, took on a landmark case defending a young barmaid fired for becoming pregnant by her employer. This was the first case of its kind, and the lawyers faced sexism even on their way to court, where a man told them it was no place for women like them.

They lost the case because the judge sympathized more with the accused than the victim, sentencing the young woman to jail. The unjust outcome only strengthened Abbott and Breckinridge’s resolve to continue their fight for justice. Their efforts paved the way for future advocates and highlighted the need for legal protections against harassment.

Mechelle Vinson: A Landmark Case in Workplace Harassment

Mechelle Vinson sued her bank employer for repeated sexual assault by her supervisor, Sidney Taylor. Fearful of losing her job, she had kept silent until the case reached the Supreme Court, which introduced a new definition of workplace sexual harassment. Vinson’s courageous stand inspired thousands of women nationwide to fight for their rights.

Vinson’s case marked a significant turning point in the recognition and legal definition of workplace sexual harassment, empowering women to speak out against such abuses.

For more information on historical figures and their struggles, you can visit The National Women’s History Museum.