When teaching the 13 Colonies, most of us cover the basics: New England vs. Southern colonies, climate, economy, and geography. But what about the bold individuals who shaped early American ideals, like Anne Hutchinson?
We mention some of the people who founded the colony. However, since we are limited in time, it’s hard to go into depth on who these people exactly were.
One powerful voice often overlooked in textbooks is Anne Hutchinson. She wasn’t just a Puritan dissenter—she was a fearless early advocate for religious freedom and women’s rights.
Keep reading to find out why Anne Hutchinson belongs in your classroom—and how to make her story come alive for students.
Who Was Anne Hutchinson? (And Why She Mattered)
Anne Hutchinson was a Puritan and religious leader in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was a mother to 14 children and was married to a prominent businessman who was also a magistrate, or judge. She was also a midwife and healer in the community.
She formed bible study groups in her home that became so popular that she had to have two meetings per week at her home. As a charismatic woman, she had many followers.
Her religious views were very different from those of Puritan leaders at the time. She preached that people would go to heaven and have salvation if they had a personal connection to God. At the time, other religious leaders believed that salvation was achieved through good deeds
John Winthrop, who was the Governor at that time, viewed her as a threat to Puritan society. How dare a woman preach to others about her beliefs! She was criticized and disrupted the status quo in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
I wonder if she were a man, if things would be different. Interestingly enough, women leaders are still more scrutinized than men, even after all these years. Even today, women in leadership roles face many gender bias issues. But that’s another topic!
Why Anne Hutchinson Still Matters Today
Anne Hutchinson was a feminist during her time. She shared her religious beliefs during a time when women were not allowed to preach. She also criticized the sermons of the ministers and questioned their authority. To make matters worse, the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony frowned on the fact that men were also attending her meetings.
This raised concern among the Puritan leaders who wanted everyone to conform to the same beliefs. They viewed her as a threat because she encouraged others to think for themselves. She was truly a leader in the movement for freedom of religion and speech.
Students need to know the irony behind the Puritans. They escaped religious persecution in Europe because their beliefs were different. However, they persecuted each other when they felt members of their church strayed away from their strict practices or beliefs. Oftentimes, they would banish people or hang them.
What Most Textbooks Skip About Anne Hutchinson
When Anne Hutchinson was put on trial, she was up against nine magistrates (judges) and thirty-one deputies of the General Court of Massachusetts, all men, including John Winthrop.
There were also eight ministers there to offer testimony. Imagine entering a courtroom and having to defend yourself without a lawyer against a crowd of men! She was also pregnant at the time.
What’s interesting is that she was never told exactly what crime she was accused of committing. During the trial, she used her wit to show how frivolous the case was.
Anne Hutchinson was eventually found guilty. She and her family were banished, or as my students like to say, “she was kicked out” and forced to relocate. Anne Hutchison, along with about 80 followers, left for Rhode Island.
What Social Studies books don’t reveal is how John Winthrop slandered and insulted her. He called her an “American Jezebel”, and when she delivered a stillbirth baby with deformities, Winthrop spread rumors that she had given birth to a demon.
Another minister preached that the stillbirth was due to God punishing her. I don’t think these stories are appropriate for elementary children, but as a teacher, it’s important to know the background story of how she was victimized.
Anne Hutchinson: The Founding Mother You Might Be Skipping
Anne Hutchinson fought for her right to freedom of speech before this idea ever took root in our government. She was a founding mother because she stood up for her beliefs, knowing there would be dire consequences, just like the founding fathers. Students need to know about this incredible woman who stood up for herself against all odds.
Why Women’s History Matters
Here’s the thing—women have always been part of the story. They’ve led, questioned, challenged, and changed the world, even when history books barely gave them a footnote.
That’s why it’s so important we take the time to teach about women like Anne Hutchinson. When we tell these stories, we’re not just teaching facts—we’re showing our students that bravery, leadership, and standing up for your beliefs aren’t just for the guys in powdered wigs.
These stories matter, especially for the girls in our classrooms who deserve to see themselves in the pages of history.
If you would like an engaging activity that goes beyond reading passages for your students, you can find a Reader’s Theater about Anne Hutchinson’s trial in my TPT shop.
My Readers Theater brings her dramatic trial to life, and helps students understand religious freedom in early America.
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