The Badge Archive

Famous Women – Margaret Brent

“Can we find a character in American history more inspiring as an example for girls and American women than Margaret Brent of Maryland?” That’s how Brent was introduced in How Girls Can Help Their Country, the very first Girl Scout handbook published in 1913. She was featured as the First Camp-Fire Story on page 6.

Brent was celebrated not just for her beauty, but for her brilliance, courage, and leadership in a time when women were rarely seen as “women of affairs.” She studied law, advised the governor, and helped shape policies that guided Maryland through its earliest challenges. Her respect for religious freedom and her role in promoting peace with Indigenous communities were seen as visionary. On his deathbed, Governor Leonard Calvert entrusted her with his estate, saying simply, “To you Margaret I leave all. Take all and pay all.” Her story was chosen by Low to inspire girls to lead with wisdom, integrity, and strength.

Margaret Brent was born around 1601 in Gloucestershire, England. She was a bold and independent landowner, legal advocate, and political figure in colonial Maryland and Virginia. Margaret came to Maryland in 1638 with her sister Mary and brothers Giles and Fulke. She was 37 years old and unmarried, a rarity in a colony where men outnumbered women six to one.

She is famous for being the first woman in English North America to request the right to vote. In 1648, she asked for two votes in the Maryland Assembly, one for herself as a landowner and one as the legal representative of Lord Baltimore. Her request was denied, but her actions helped stabilize the colony during a time of political crisis.

Margaret Brent managed estates, traded land and indentured servants, and acted as attorney for herself and others. She was appointed executrix of Governor Leonard Calvert’s estate in 1647 and used her authority to pay soldiers and prevent mutiny. Though her leadership was praised locally, Lord Baltimore disapproved of her decisions, and she eventually moved to Virginia, where she continued her work until her death around 1671.

Margaret Brent is remembered as a trailblazer for women’s rights and legal agency in colonial America.

Videos

GSUSA Law Line

“Margaret Brent respected herself and others. She stood up for her right to lead when women were not typically allowed. Then she stood up for other women. She believed all women should be able vote and lead just as much as men were allowed to.” – Ms. Tia, GSSJC – Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Troop Leader

Timeline

  • 1601 – Margaret Brent was born in Gloucestershire, England.
  • 1638 – She arrived in Maryland with her siblings and claimed land in St. Mary’s City.
  • 1639 – Became the first female landowner in Maryland; established “Sisters’ Freehold.”
  • 1641 – Named co-guardian of Mary Kittamaquund, daughter of a Piscataway chief.
  • 1645 – Her brother Giles was captured during Ingle’s Rebellion; Margaret remained in Maryland.
  • 1647 – Appointed executrix of Governor Leonard Calvert’s estate.
  • 1648 – Requested two votes in the Maryland Assembly; denied.
  • 1651 – Moved to Virginia after political fallout.
  • 1671 – Margaret Brent died in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

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References

Hoxie, W.J. How Girls Can Help Their Country. New York, The Knickerbocker Press, 1913, p. 6.

Londeree, Phillip. “The Original – and American – Iron Lady.” National Women’s Historical Society, 11 Jan. 2021, http://www.nationalwomenshistoricalsociety.org/blog/2021/1/11/margaret-brent. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

“Margaret Brent.” Wikipedia, 22 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Brent. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

“Margaret Brent Biography.” Msa.maryland.gov, msa.maryland.gov/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/002100/002177/html/brochure.html. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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For more Historical and Notable Figures:

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Tia Kennard