Within Her Power: Propertied Women in Colonial Virginia

Linda Sturtz's elegant and engaging study of the curious and complex place occupied by women of property in Colonial Virginia opens an exciting new chapter in the history of women in America. Going beyond the simplistic historical picture that paints women as passive subjects of a patriarchal society,Within Her Powerclosely examines these women's agency and ability to protect their economic interests. The book examines social restrictions on women's behavior and speech, opportunities and difficulties women encountered within the legal system, the economic and discretionary authority they enjoyed, the roles they played in family businesses, and the imperial context within which these colonial women lived. Overall, this unique work succeeds in portraying the rich complexity of the lives of these elite women.

Linda L. Sturtz is Associate Professor of History at Beloit College