A Revolutionary Voice
Hannah Lee Corbin and the Fight for Representation
By Mike Frontiero
VA250
In the clamor for independence, one voice stood out – not for its booming volume, but for its audacity. Hannah Lee Corbin, from Virginia’s prominent Lee family in Westmoreland County, defied the limitations placed on women of her time. Born in 1728 amidst a family steeped in politics (her brothers signed the Declaration of Independence!), Corbin couldn’t directly participate in shaping the new nation due solely to her gender.
Many women in the American Revolution bore the burden of taxation but lacked the right to vote or hold office. This injustice sparked a fire in Corbin. In a powerful letter (details remain debated), she reportedly challenged her brother Richard Henry Lee: why should women, denied a voice in government, be forced to pay taxes levied by it? This act echoed the revolutionary cry of “No taxation without representation!” and showcased Corbin’s grasp of fair governance.
Corbin’s brother Richard Henry Lee acknowledged his sister’s concerns in private correspondence, but neither he nor she publicly advocated for this reform.
While Corbin engaged with revolutionary ideals, her personal life reflected societal norms of the era. She didn’t advocate for major societal changes like marriage reform, and her ownership of an enslaved workforce (64 people at her death in 1782) reflects the complexities of the time.
Despite these limitations, historians recognize Corbin as a pioneer for women’s suffrage. Her fight for representation, though personal, paved the way for future generations. Hannah Lee Corbin’s story reminds us that the fight for American liberty transcended battlefields. It was waged in homes, on plantations, and, most importantly, through the written word, a legacy that continues to inspire us today as we strive for full and equal representation for all.
