The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation because in the degradation of woman the very fountains of life are poisoned at their source. 

-LM

Lucretia Mott was born in January 3, 1793 on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

Her father was Thomas Coffin Jr., captain and merchant, and mother was Anna Folger Mott.

She was the second of five children.

At the age of 10, her family moved to Boston because her father changed jobs.

She grew up in Boston the majority of her childhood.

She first attended public school for 2 years then went to a Quaker boarding school where she later taught.

Lucretia` s upbringing sparked her interests in equality of men and women, as well as abolition.

She was raised strongly in a community of the Society of Friends (Quakers).

Quakers believed in the equality between men and women, which she was influenced by.

Lucretia` s mother independently ran a small shop successfully when her father was away.

She was also shocked by mistreatment of slaves documented by Quaker author Priscilla Wakefield which sparked her interest in the anti-slavery movement.

Her Quaker upbringing led her to continue to believe in Quaker morals and principles.

The boarding school she attended, Nine Partners, was run by Quakers.

It was also at this school she noted the salary difference between male and female teachers- the start of her feminist views.