Protecting Women and Freeing Slavery

Dickinson unconditionally released all of his slaves just before he passed away. He had depended on them for his livelihood, but he also wanted slavery abolished. He contributed to the abolitionist cause in his later years and gave a sizable portion of his riches to the "relief of the wretched." He believed that by releasing every slave he owned upon his passing, the United States of America would eventually be free of slavery. He shared the view of many of the founders that slavery would "die a natural death."

Arguably, Dickinson was a pioneering feminist, in part because of his Quaker heritage. He thought that women should have the same religious freedoms as men since they are spiritually equal to them. He sought political advice from women, especially from his mother and wife, unlike many males of the time. Dickinson was also strong friends with Susanna Wright, a Quaker feminist, and she corresponded with Mercy Otis Warren and Catharine Macaulay. He urged Macaulay and Warren to keep on writing. He also purchased books that described the lives of powerful Quaker women. Dickinson frequently represented underprivileged women in court, notably Rachel Francisco, a "free molto" who was accused of infanticide. He suggested the first inclusive gender clause in the Articles of Confederation, which were written in 1776.

"No person or persons in any Colony living peaceably under the Civil Government shall be molested or prejudiced in his or her or their persons or Estate for his or her or their religious persuasion or practice, nor be compelled to frequent, maintain, or contribute to the maintenance of any religious Worship, Place of Worship, or Ministry, contrary to his or her or their Mind," he wrote in the proposed religious liberty clause.