Social reform movements in Boston at this time are described by Thomas O’Connor.

O’Connor subsequently writes, “A group of young, upper-class, well-educated, highly moral women dominated every major reform movement in the mid-nineteenth century. . . Most of them knew each other well, shared each other’s vision of a more nearly equal society and agreed upon the means and methods for achieving their goals. Coming from comfortable family circumstances, they were able to give freely of their time and energy, received no salary, and devoted themselves morning, noon and night to their specific reform. Confident and self-assured, they went about their serious business ignoring attacks by critics who labeled them ‘blue-stockings’ and petticoat rebels,” and disregarding mockery from detractors who ridiculed them as ‘love-starved spinsters.'”