Mary Ann Colclough

"I aspire to be an author, and a fair criticism, conducted without prejudice of sex, I am willing to submit to."

"The right, as thinking, reasoning beings, to decide for themselves what is best for their own happiness. If they were satisfied with man’s decision, this agitation for change would not be."

"And then how black, how bitter, how real the yoke it, none can know but those who feel it. What a risk there is in marriages! What a perilous step to take."

"I said that I did not think that women in any great numbers would ever concern themselves about politics, but I think those who have proved good queens regent and self-helpful women demonstrate the capacity that is in women for government."

"The real grievance must be that there are men who object to women having brains or daring to use them."

"...but let a woman once think and be daring enough to give the world the benefit of her thoughts, and great is the indignation of many who can witness quite approvingly all sorts of nonsensical acting in charades."

"To the other sex, to whose fault the existence of this terrible class of the community must be charged, are those who have the means; and though they claim to be the protectors of woman, the boast must be considered an empty one in many cases, since it is a notorious fact that fallen women find it easier to make a living than honest ones do."

"The truth is, any attempt to teach religion in public schools is an attempt to force our views on others; and, as all should be fairly considered in return for a tax that all must pay, I hope that strictly secular instruction during school hours will in all fairness be upheld in State schools."