I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion
I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us.
When Louisa May Alcott declared, “I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us,” she spoke with the fire of conviction and the calm of wisdom. In her words lies the eternal truth that true liberation cannot be bestowed as a gift; it must be claimed by those who seek it. To help women help themselves is to give not charity, but empowerment, and to awaken in them the courage to seize what has always been theirs by right.
The so-called “woman question” was the great debate of Alcott’s century—whether women were fit for education, for work, for the ballot, for independence of spirit. While many argued endlessly, Alcott chose a simpler, nobler path: action. She believed that every woman who proved her strength, her intelligence, and her skill did more for the cause than a hundred speeches. For no law or argument can forever suppress the evidence of living examples.
History bears witness to this philosophy. Consider the women of the abolitionist movement, like Sojourner Truth, who rose from the bondage of slavery to demand justice with her voice and her presence. By her very existence—her eloquence, her resilience—she answered the woman question far more powerfully than the men who doubted her ever could. She embodied Alcott’s creed: that what women can do and do well, no one can rightly deny them.
Alcott’s words also remind us of the natural law of justice: rights are not permissions granted by rulers, but truths that flow from human dignity. When women step forward in skill and in courage, they need not beg, for their deeds declare their rights more loudly than petitions ever could. The oppressor may delay acknowledgment, but the reality cannot be hidden forever—capability demands recognition.
Thus, let her wisdom be carried onward: do not wait for others to bestow your worth. Rise, act, and prove. In doing so, you settle the question not with argument, but with undeniable truth. For when women help themselves, they help all of humanity, and the chains of doubt and denial crumble before their strength. This is the way of change: not in waiting, but in becoming.
C7Minh Chau 7A2
I really like the sentiment behind Louisa May Alcott’s quote, but I wonder if it puts too much responsibility on women to solve the gender inequality issue themselves. What if some women don’t have access to the same resources or opportunities to ‘help themselves’? Should we focus more on creating a level playing field for all women, or should we still hold individuals accountable for their own empowerment? How can society better support women in their journey toward self-sufficiency?
NNam
Alcott’s view on settling the ‘woman question’ through self-help is interesting, but does it risk oversimplifying the complexities women face? While it’s empowering to believe that we all have the right to pursue what we do well, how do we address the inequalities and barriers that often prevent women from achieving their full potential? Is it realistic to think that women alone can overcome these obstacles without structural support from society?
KHKiet Hoo
I admire Louisa May Alcott’s focus on self-empowerment for women, but I can’t help but wonder: Is it always fair to expect women to ‘help themselves’ when the world around them doesn’t always make it easy? While individual agency is vital, shouldn’t we also address the external factors that limit women’s opportunities? How can we balance the encouragement of self-help with the recognition of broader societal changes needed for true equality?
Nngoc
Louisa May Alcott’s quote about helping women help themselves is incredibly empowering. It suggests that true change comes from giving women the tools to stand on their own rather than relying on external assistance. But does this mean that societal systems or structures aren’t to blame for holding women back? Can individual empowerment alone truly overcome the systemic barriers women face, or do we need both personal initiative and societal reform to make lasting change?