A Brave Lady Starts a Movement One colonial woman, Mrs. Penelope Barker, of Edenton, North Carolina, decided that she wanted to do something for the American cause during the exciting days leading up to Revolution. She decided to encourage her neighbors to stop drinking English tea and using English products until the King repealed the tea tax. She visited over 50 homes in the early fall of 1774 inviting the ladies to a very special "tea party." Some of Mrs. Barker's neighbors eagerly agreed to attend, but others refused. When questioned by a friend, Mrs. Barker's response was, "Of course, I know that I am putting my husband's job at great risk. That is the price that must be paid. Women have been quiet too long; it is time for us to show our strength." When Thomas Barker, the port collector, heard of his wife's plan, he tried to convince her not to continue. "It is unseemly and perhaps unlawful for a woman to get involved in political issues," he told her. But Penelope Barker continued with her plan not realizing she was organizing the first women's political movement in America. On the day of the event, October 25, 1774, the women dressed carefully to come to Mrs. Barker's tea party. At the party, Penelope said to the group, "Here and now, I propose that we solemnly engage to drink only apple cider, buttermilk, or cool spring water so long as the King insists that his special tax remain upon tea from India!" She then encouraged the ladies to take a pledge to "abstain from the pernicious custom of taking tea" and to sign their names to a parchment (letter) containing that pledge. Some of the ladies were reluctant. But then, one by one, over 40 ladies signed their names. Then they were served Penelope Barker's special "tea" made form leaves of raspberry and mulberry plants.

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